Trucker Accused Of Plowing Semi Into Famed Nevada Brothel

"When the girls called me, I grabbed some weapons and was on my way down there," the proprietor said.
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A trucker turned the front of a famous “Cathouse” into litter when he rammed a stolen 18-wheeler into Nevada’s Moonlite Bunny Ranch.

“He backed his giant rig through the fence and into the ranch,” brothel owner Dennis Hof told HuffPost on Friday.

Hof said the crash happened just after 4 a.m. Thursday. None of the employees, sex workers or customers were injured.

The driver, identified as 40-year-old Brian Brandt, of Reno, intentionally crashed into the Carson City establishment, which is featured in the HBO reality show “Cathouse,” authorities said. Brandt, who remains jailed, faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, property destruction and possession of stolen property, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said.

An 18-wheeler wrecked the front door of a Nevada brothel featured on the reality show "Cathouse."
An 18-wheeler wrecked the front door of a Nevada brothel featured on the reality show "Cathouse."
Dennis Hof

The incident became even more alarming, said Hof, when the driver got out of the tractor-trailer wearing body armor and a mask.

“When the girls called me, I grabbed some weapons and was on my way down there,” said Hof, who has a residence on the property. “When I got there, [law enforcement officers] already had him in car. You can imagine what I would’ve done to a guy in body armor ― I would’ve unloaded on him. I would’ve had no choice.”

Hof said he was perplexed as to the man’s intentions. Authorities have not indicated the driver was armed, and Hof said none of the witnesses reported seeing him carrying a weapon or acting aggressively.

“The guy even told police, ‘Thanks for getting here so quick,’” Hof said.

According to The Associated Press, the truck had been stolen from a northern Nevada terminal of Michigan-based Central Transport hours before it crashed into the brothel. Central Transport spokesman Mickey Blashfield told AP that Brandt is a former driver for the company who was recently fired for inappropriate behavior. Blashfield declined to comment further on the reason for Brandt’s termination.

Reno’s KRNV News reported Brandt was arrested May 17 after being accused of assaulting an employee at the trucking business with a 4-foot steel bar. He faces charges of battery and conspiracy to destroy property in connection with that case.

Hof, who said neither he nor any of his employees recognized Brandt, suspected the man intentionally targeted the brothel for media exposure.

“If you want to get recognition, you might as well go to a world-famous brothel,” Hof said. “This story has gone all over the world. That could have been his logic.”

The truck caused an estimated $400,000 in damage to the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, which is one of roughly two dozen legal brothels in Nevada. Prostitution is legal in 10 of the state’s 17 counties.

“I think we got off really easy, and I’m glad nobody’s hurt,” Hof said. “I hope this guy ― if it’s a medical issue ― gets what he needs. If it’s not a medical issue, I hope he enjoys his afternoons with O.J. [Simpson] in prison.”

The publicity-savvy proprietor added, “The front door’s definitely out of commission, but the back door’s always open.”

David Lohr covers crime and missing persons. Tips? Feedback? Send an email or follow him on Twitter.

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