Family's items up for sale in Nacogdoches Sheriff's Office auction

BEAUMONT, TX (News Release) - By Donna McCollum - email

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - More than 90 percent of the items up for auction once belonged to Tony and Renee Culler. Household items, children's toys, even Tony and Renee's wedding album, are up for grabs to the highest bidder.

"They did not claim the items during the prescribed time frame as allowed by law," Sheriff Thomas Kerss said. "Basically, it's no different than any of the other abandoned property under possession."

The Cullers with their four cute daughters began protesting in 2009. The couple remains angry with Commercial Bank over disputed mineral rights. Unpaid mortgages led to a foreclosure. The home was sold on the courthouse steps to an adjoining neighbor. The belongings were confiscated in January of this year. Tomorrow's auction is definitely different than the ones routinely conducted by the sheriff's department.

"Good or bad, however you want to look at it it's the legal system we have," Chief Deputy Doug Richardson said.

The Cullers remain angry and continue to maintain a Web site. Law enforcement won't be surprised if the family shows up tomorrow.

"If they come wanting to view some of the items and attempt to purchase some of the items they would be within their right to be able to do that," Kerss said. "If they are just going to try to demonstrate and disrupt the proceeding then we will have to take precautions."

Buyers can be empathetic after seeing the Culler's baby books and a child's coin collection, but bidders are still there looking for a good bargains.

"Kinda sad," said Molly Smith, a potential bidder. "Kinda poignant. Goes to show you what happens when you do bad things."

There are 360 lots of items. Everything will be put on the auction block. Items that don't sell will be possibly donated or thrown away.

The public auction is Saturday at the Nacogdoches County Exposition Center, with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.

Firearms will be sold at 8:30 a.m. to only licensed firearm dealers only.  The sale is not for concealed gun permit holders.

The general auction will begin around 9 a.m.

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