Ep 6. Virginia City: Showdown at the Mustang Ranch

In this episode of City Confidential, entitled "Virginia City: Showdown at the Mustang Ranch," we explore the infamous brothel that became a modern-day Wild West showdown. Virginia City, Nevada, was once a booming mining town, but as the mines started to dry up, many businesses turned to other illegal activities, such as gambling and prostitution.

One such operation was the Mustang Ranch, owned by Joe Conforte. The brothel quickly became a popular destination for men from all walks of life, but with its success came controversy and legal challenges. Local authorities tried to shut down the Mustang Ranch multiple times, but Conforte always seemed to find a way to stay open.

However, things took a violent turn when a rival brothel owner, Jack Galen, came to town. Galen was determined to take down the Mustang Ranch and Conforte, and he began a campaign of intimidation and violence. Shots were fired, and the community became increasingly concerned about the situation.

Eventually, the conflict came to a head when two of Galen's associates attempted to burn down the Mustang Ranch. Conforte and his employees were armed and ready for a fight, and a shootout ensued that left several people dead or injured.

The aftermath of the confrontation was shocking: Conforte and several of his employees were arrested and charged with murder, while Galen and his associates received lesser charges. The trial was a spectacle, with witnesses giving dramatic and often conflicting testimony, and the outcome was uncertain until the very end.

"Virginia City: Showdown at the Mustang Ranch" is a riveting look at a slice of American history that is rarely explored on TV. The story of Joe Conforte and the Mustang Ranch is filled with drama, danger, and intrigue, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the seedy underbelly of a once-thriving mining town. With interviews from witnesses, historians, and legal experts, this episode of City Confidential paints a vivid picture of a world that has since disappeared, but continues to captivate our imaginations.