Owner claims buyer reneged on property sale

A woman has filed suit against the couple who she claims promised to buy real estate from her, placed tenants in the property, then reneged on their original offer to purchase the property.

Mary Ross Stinebrickner claims she agreed to sell property at 4340 Chaison St. in Beaumont to defendants Rex and Kathy Johnson. The Johnsons signed an agreement to sell real estate form on July 8, 2010, according to the complaint filed May 25 in Jefferson County District Court.

After signing the form but before the closing on the property, the Johnsons took possession of the property and placed tenants in it, the suit states.

At the closing, however, the defendants refused to sign the deed of trust and lien note, the complaint says. They have also refused to evict their tenants from the property, Stinebrickner claims.

As a result, the Johnsons are making rent money from property that Stinebrickner still owns and is making tax payments on, according to the complaint.

In her complaint, Stinebrickner is asking the court determine the Johnsons to be in breach of the agreement to sell real estate contract and is asking the court for a right to recover her property. She is also seeking a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus interest, attorneys' fees and other relief the court deems just.

J. Cullen Mouton and John W. Johnson of Creighton, Fox, Johnson and Mills in Beaumont will be representing her.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Case No. D190-106