A trustee is embroiled in a legal battle, accusing several individuals and entities of conspiring to unlawfully seize trust property without due process. Derrick Thomas, acting as Trustee for the Derrick Thomas Trust, filed a complaint on February 11, 2025, in the United States Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Gerald D. Sticker and others. The case alleges that the defendants attempted to sell trust property without proper judicial authority or consent from Thomas.
According to the complaint, Derrick Thomas asserts that Gerald D. Sticker acted beyond his authority by attempting to sell property owned by the Derrick Thomas Trust without obtaining necessary legal permissions or providing proper notice. The complaint highlights a series of alleged procedural violations, including serving fraudulent notices of sheriff sales and acting on expired court orders. Thomas argues that these actions constitute a violation of his constitutional rights under both federal and state laws. "The defendants are acting in bad faith," claims Thomas, emphasizing that no valid foreclosure proceedings were pending against the trust property at the time of these actions.
Thomas further accuses Ashley Morris, representing Merchant Bank of Indiana, of attempting to collect on a mortgage debt that was allegedly settled years prior when Jerry Koors, Vice President of Merchant Bank of Indiana, received payment upon closing on the property in September 2020. Despite this settlement being reflected in Thomas's credit report showing a zero balance owed to Merchant Bank of Indiana, Morris allegedly continued efforts to collect funds improperly.
The complaint also invokes 42 U.S.C § 1983 and § 1985 statutes concerning civil rights violations and conspiracy to interfere with civil rights. It details how various defendants conspired to deprive him of his legal rights and remedies by attempting unauthorized sales and seizures under false pretenses. Moreover, it accuses them of using government documents fraudulently to claim ownership over trust properties for personal gain.
In seeking relief from the court, Derrick Thomas requests an injunction preventing further unlawful seizure attempts and demands monetary damages for constitutional violations amounting to millions per occurrence against each officer involved. He also seeks declaratory judgments affirming his rights over the trust properties and requests enforcement action against public officials who failed their duties by not filing required oaths or following statutory procedures.
Representing himself pro se in this complex litigation matter is Derrick Thomas Sui Juris. The presiding judge is yet unnamed but will be part of Case No: 2:25-cv-00289-SM-JVM filed within Section E Mag1 jurisdiction.