Man sues to get repossessed bulldozer back

GALVESTON - Alleging his bulldozer was wrongfully confiscated, Santa Fe resident Willis N. Young has filed a lawsuit.

Court papers filed July 19 in Galveston County District Court claim Komatsu Financial seized Young's Komatsu D39PX-21A Bulldozer with the assistance of the city of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Police Department, Joe Dickson and Wayne Kessler though the plaintiff paid for the bulldozer in full.

Young entered a contract with Komatsu in 2005 for the purchase of the bulldozer. Under the contract Young agreed to pay $114,881 until February 2009.

Young says he paid the agreed upon amount on time as requested by the contract, but Komatsu deliberately took possession of the bulldozer last month.

He additionally complains that the defendants withheld the location of the piece of equipment from him, stating he relies on it as his sole source of income as a local bulldozer operator and business owner.

"As a direct result of the piece of equipment being unlawfully taken from the plaintiff, the plaintiff has had to seek medical treatment and has suffered severe emotional distress," the suit says.

Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

He is represented by attorney Michael L. Aldous of Santa Fe.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 11-cv-1175