Approx. 13.18 +/- Acres of Real Estate

We have been commissioned by the United States Marshals Service to auction off real estate seized in connection with the criminal case of the United States v. William Ross Hickman.  Mr. Hickman was sentenced to federal prison and his assets were seized by the United States Marshals Service in order to pay restitution to the victims in this case.  This includes Mr. Hickman's home and real estate located at  1050 Elliott Road, Arcadia, Louisiana  71001.   This will be offered in two auction lots, subject to final court approval. 

SPECIAL TERMS APPLY TO THIS REAL ESTATE AUCTION.  READ CAREFULLY.

The United States Attorney's Office reserves the right to enter a secret reserve at anytime prior to the auction with the auctioneer if it is determined that the bids are not sufficient or in proportion to the appraisal amount.  If the U. S. Attorney's Office exercises its right to enter such a reserve, that reserve amount will be a secret reserve and will not be disclosed until after the auction closes. 

BIDDER TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

               This is a Binding Agreement by and between the Bidder and Danny Lawler Enterprises, LLC doing business as Lawler Auction Company, a limited liability company doing business at 7781 Highway 1 North, Shreveport, Louisiana  71107 (Further from time to time referred to as “Auctioneer” or “LAWLER”).

             Whereas, Bidder has solicited to participate in auctions conducted by LAWLER or an affiliated auctioneer, and therefore the Bidder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth by Auctioneer before placing a bid on any item. This agreement shall govern the terms of all auctions conducted by LAWLER, including both online only internet auctions as well as live onsite auctions.

IT IS HEREBY AGREED THAT:

1. Upon placing a bid by the Bidder, either online through the internet or live in person, the Bidder enters into a binding agreement with the Auctioneer, and agrees to these terms and conditions as well as any other terms and conditions that may apply to each specific auction, which are posted on the internet bidding platform.

2. Bidder acknowledges that there is a 10% Buyer’s Premium ON REAL ESTATE that will be added to the winning bid amount.  

3. Location of items. THE REAL ESTATE IS LOCATED AT 1050 ELLIOTT ROAD, ARCADIA, LOUISIANA.

4. Most internet only auctions will be set up to begin to close, beginning with Lot # 1, and with each lot closing about 10 seconds behind the other.  However if a last minute bid is placed, the system may extend the bidding out for about two minutes every time a bid is placed, giving other bidders an opportunity to increase their bids.  It is strongly recommended that Bidder be at a computer with good internet when the auction begins to close, and make sure that the screen is refreshing routinely.  Smartphones and tablets often do not refresh the screens, therefore Bidder may loose out on a chance to increase the bid.  Bidder can also prevent this from happening by placing their MAX (maximum) bid, and then the system will bid in increments up to the Bidder’s maximum bid amounts.  Tie Max bids will go to the person who placed their max bid first.  For example, lets say a bidder is willing to bid $5,000 on a car, but the bidding is currently at $1,500.  You would place your bid of $5,000, and then the system will automatically insert a bid on the Bidder’s behalf in increments up to $5,000, meaning the Bidder will not necessarily pay the full $5,000 unless another person bids.  If when placing a max bid, the Bidder notices that they are instantly outbid, that means someone else has already placed a maximum bid for that amount or higher.  THIS PROPERTY WILL BE DEVIDED INTO TWO SEPARATE AUCTION LOTS, BUT THEY WILL BE LINKED TO CLOSE AT THE SAME TIME.

6. Auctions are not for everyone.  There are risks associated with buying through any auction.  Any bidder expecting a warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever should not bid on an item.

7. All items are sold “as is” where is without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever.  Bidder agrees to accept all items with all of their faults regardless of whether that fault was declared or described in advance by any party.  Therefore Bidder agrees to accept all items “as is” without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever, together with all faults and flaws.

8. It is the sole duty of the Bidder to inspect all items carefully before placing a bid.  Failure to inspect items is at the risk of the Bidder.  All photographs and videos are taken as a courtesy by the Auction Company to help bidders make an educated decision on whether an item is somewhat operational, however, as with anything used, the fact that an item, such as a vehicle ran on the day the video was taken, does not necessarily mean that it will run on the day that the buyer picks up the vehicle.  The videos and photographs may or may not reveal all mechanical issues (such as transmission issues, electronics, air conditioner, etc.) with any item, so it is important that the Bidder examine and inspect all items before placing a bid.  Failure to do so is solely at the risk of the Bidder and the Bidder assumes those risks and agrees to take any winning bid regardless of their faults, their condition, and mechanical capabilities.  The Auctioneer is under no obligation whatsoever to disclose or otherwise point out any flaws, mechanical defects or problems with any item being sold.

9. A DEPOSIT PAYMENT OF AT LEAST $50,000 SHALL BE PAID BY THE WINNING BIDDER NO LATER THAN 11AM ON JULY 9, 2024.  IF THE FULL PAYMENT IS NOT PAID ON THE DAY AFTER THE AUCTION CLOSES, THE BALANCE SHALL BE PAID NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE AUCTION DATE.   FAILURE TO PAY AND CLOSE BY AUGUST 24, 2024 WILL RESULT IN THE DEPOSIT BEING FORFEITED TO THE AUCTION COMPANY.  THE AUCTIONEER AT ITS DISCRETION MAY SELL THE PROPERTY TO THE SECOND PLACE OR SUBSEQUENT BIDDER AT THAT TIME. 

10. In the event that the Bidder fails to make payment by 11:00AM CST on the day after the auction, the Auctioneer may sell the lot to the second place or subsequent bidders, at auctioneer's sole discretion. 

11. A $200 authorization may be placed on the Bidder’s credit card upon registering for any auction, which shall act as a deposit.  This is not a charge and will be returned to the Bidder by the Bidder’s bank or credit card company.  However, in the event that the Bidder wins a bid and fails to pay for the item by 11:00am the following day, or in the event that a credit card is declined upon processing an invoice payment on winning bids, the Auctioneer will initiate the authorization by completing it as a charge, and that deposit will be forfeited to the Auctioneer as partial payment to the administrative charge as outlined below.

12. In the event of payment failure and credit card declines, and Auctioneer is unable to reach the Bidder immediately, the Auctioneer reserves the right to sell any item to the second place or subsequent bidder without delay or the need to contact the winning Bidder.  In such an event, the initial winning Bidder will become liable for a minimum $1,000 administrative fee payable to the Auctioneer, and in such event the winning Bidder will be banned from participation in any future auctions and will be permanently banned.  In the event that the administrative fee is not collected or paid within 30 days, the debt will be placed with a collection agency and Bidder agrees to pay all collection costs, including but not limited to attorney fees, court costs, and interest.  The Auctioneer is authorized to charge the administrative fees to the credit card on file at anytime.

13. In the event of a credit card or debit card transaction as authorized by this agreement, the Bidder agrees to waive any warranty rights under his/her credit card agreements and declares that all items are purchased “as is” without warranty or guarantee.  Furthermore, all credit card purchases are final and Bidder agrees not to disallow or dispute any credit card charges.  In the event that there is a chargeback or dispute, an administrative charge of $5,000 or 25%, whichever is greater will be immediately due  and payable to Auctioneer for handling the dispute or chargeback.

14. THE WINNING BIDDER SHALL PAY ALL CLOSING COSTS AND MAY SELECT A CLOSING TITLE COMPANY OR ATTORNEY OF THEIR CHOICE.   PROPERTY TAXES SHALL BE PRO-RATED FOR THE YEAR 2024.

19. The Auctioneer is acting as the Agent for the Seller.  The Auctioneer, Lawler Auction Company, its employees, and subcontractors are acting as the “Agent” for the seller.  Any disputes over titles or other ownership provisions is between the Buyer and the Seller.  Buyer agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Auctioneer, Lawler Auction Co., its employees, subcontractors, its agents, and employees from any claims or damages which might result from any auction.  It is the sole responsibility of the Buyer to have conducted prior inspection of the Seller’s rights to sell, to inspect UCC filings (if any) on the equipment to be auctioned, and to inspect the ownership records of said equipment.

20. In most cases, items are consigned to the auction without a reserve, however some items may be consigned to the auction with secret reserves placed by the Seller upon consigning the item(s) to the Auction.  In such a case, the Auctioneer will not be able to sell the item to the winning bidder unless it meets or exceeds the reserve amount.

21. Auctioneer’s intent to bid.  In accordance with Louisiana Law, LSA-R.S. 37:3130 the Auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of other parties placing absentee bids, internet bids, or reserve bids, including but not limited to bids from banks, sellers, or other consignors to protect their interest.

22. Auctioneer may ban any Bidder for any reason (or no reason), including but not limited to non-payment, failure to abide by terms and conditions, becoming argumentative or difficult with staff, etc.

24. Bidder is solely responsible for the creation and use of the Bidder’s username and password upon setting up a user account on the Auctioneer’s bidding platform, and agrees to be legally bound in accordance with this contract to all bids placed using the Bidder’s username and password.

25. All internet only auctions are conducted from Auctioneer’s offices in Shreveport, Louisiana, and all transactions are conducted from the Auctioneer’s Shreveport, Louisiana location, regardless of where the assets are located.  All auctions are conducted subject to Louisiana law at all times.

Bidder hereby agrees to the terms and conditions of this blanket auction agreement and agrees to abide by any other terms and conditions for specific auctions that may be posted on the Auctioneer’s website for specific auctions.