A Writ of Sequestration has been issued against Kilgore’s Maness Furniture operation – it means the property’s sealed under order of 124th State District Court Judge Alfonso Charles.
Precinct 3 Constable John Slagle is tasked with securing the building and contents of 200-206 East Main St. His phone’s been ringing constantly today as concerned customers try to track down furniture they paid for – as recently as this week, according to some.
So far, Slagle’s been able to grant limited access to a few individuals who’ve shown the necessary paperwork proving their purchases.
“If they have furniture down there, they need to call me and show me that they’ve paid for it,” Slagle said Thursday afternoon. “If they have a receipt and all of that stuff we can probably work something out.”
Per the ‘NO TRESPASSING’ sign in the window, the building and contents of the business have been sequestered at least until a court hearing in the 124th. Charles is presiding over Cause No. 2026-295-B between plaintiff Larry Long, the building owner, and defendant Ronnie Pate, doing business as Maness furniture.
According to the paperwork posted in the store window, Slagle executed the writ Tuesday, March 24, following Long’s February 25 affidavit seeking the measure. It covers “All non exempt personal property of Ronnie Pate located at or within the (p)remises” on the corner of East Main and Kilgore Street.
Per the documentation, the defendant has “a right to regain possession of the property by filing a ‘Replevy’ bond” and by filing a motion to dissolve the writ.
From a March 19 filing in Gregg County, on May 1, 2023, the plaintiff and defendant entered into a commercial lease agreement. The lease is in default, according to the suit, the rent unpaid, valued at $12,500. Under the terms, Pate allegedly granted Long a security interest in all nonexempt personal property at 200 and 206 E. Main. From Long’s filing, “there is an immediate danger that the Defendant will dispose of the Plaintiff’s collateral.”
With the case ongoing, Slagle did not comment further: “I can’t speak for the court,” he said. Check the posted information, instead: “It’s on the door down there.”
According to online chatter, approximately half the inventory in the store was apparently tagged ‘Paid’ with customer names during a recent visit.
Customers can reach Slagle at 903-981-0355: “If they want to call about anything they can call me and ask me,” the constable suggested.
Longview’s Maness Furniture has no ties to the Kilgore operation, its inventory or the lawsuit: “We are not affiliated,” says Maness Furniture Longview owner Keith Robison.
– Courtesy photo by Rick Custer
