How a Luxe Travel Agent Bilked Thousands From Customers
Mary Emily Lockard-Furry, a luxury travel agent from Texas, has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from clients by failing to complete booked travel arrangements, leaving many stranded or with unpaid charges. First arrested in June, Lockard-Furry was arrested again in September on seven additional charges. She faces multiple theft charges across several counties, plus one in Alabama, with some felonies carrying prison sentences of up to 10 years. The investigation revealed a pattern of deception, including a key case where a couple paid for a vacation that was never booked, leading to criminal charges and a civil lawsuit on behalf of the victims.
Pocketing Cash
According to law enforcement, Lockard-Furry — under her travel agency, TraveLuxe — was hired to arrange travel for individuals and families, mostly for trips out of the country. She would often ask for payment up front, then make a few initial reservations, like holding a hotel room, but would not always complete the rest of the travel bookings. Instead of following through, Lockard-Furry allegedly kept the money for herself, leaving her clients with no confirmed reservations. Some customers even found themselves stranded overseas, with no accommodations or travel plans at all.
Surprise! You Owe $8,200
One case involving David and Whitney Ruffin, a couple from Chattanooga, Tennessee, led to Lockard-Furry's first arrest. The Ruffins had planned a special vacation to the Fairmont Chateau hotel at Lake Louise in Canada, paying $2,700 through Venmo directly to Lockard-Furry for their travel arrangements. However, when they arrived at the hotel on May 21, the couple was asked to provide their credit card at the front desk. They assumed it was just for incidentals, like room service charges. But the next day, the Ruffins were shocked to see a $4,418 charge on their card.
When the couple reached out to Lockard-Furry for help, she told them she couldn't contact the hotel at the moment because her daughter was sick. Over the next few days, the Ruffins tried several times to get the situation fixed, but all they received were excuses. On top of that, when they checked out of the hotel, they were hit with an additional $3,800 charge. According to the Ruffins, no payment had ever been made by Lockard-Furry or her business for their stay. The couple, stranded and facing unexpected charges, became more desperate for answers, and their case became a key part of the ongoing investigation into Lockard-Furry's alleged actions. As more people came forward to ask for help, the investigation into Lockard-Furry's actions grew, uncovering a pattern of deceit and financial theft.
An Arrest, Indictment, and Civil Lawsuit
After investigating the allegations, deputies from the Fugitive Warrant Division arrested Lockard-Furry at a residence in rural Jefferson County on June 18, 2024. She was charged with Theft by Deception, a State Jail Felony.
After that arrest, Lockard-Furry posted bond and was released the next day. However, a grand jury in Jefferson County indicted her for the same theft charge. Months later, Lockard-Furry was arrested on seven additional theft charges, all felonies, and she had five additional warrants out for her arrest, as well.
Attorney Lane Walker Jr. has also filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of several people who claim they paid for travel bookings, only to find out that those arrangements were never fully made — or in some cases, not made at all. The complainants say they asked for refunds after realizing they had been scammed. While some have received full refunds, others report getting only partial refunds.
Continued Investigation
The investigation is ongoing, as more individuals are coming forward, claiming they too were victims of Lockard-Furry's actions. Detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are continuing their work to help those affected.
References: Luxe Travel Agent Arrested, Indicted for Theft | Breaking: Travel Agent Arrest on 7 New Local Charges
