TEAGUE, Texas — Quanell X is now investigating the planned eviction of Sylvester Bethany from Teague Housing Authority public housing following an arrest at his apartment.
Teague police went to Bethany’s apartment July 23 to execute an old Navarro County warrant involving tickets and bond forfeiture. Bethany said one of the responding officers had encountered him weeks earlier when he became overheated.
Bethany alleges the officer spoke by phone with Teague Housing Authority Executive Director Julie Dawson during much of the arrest. Bethany said he allegedly heard Dawson ask what officers had found inside the apartment.
An officer allegedly later returned to the apartment to retrieve Bethany’s keys. Bethany said the keys were near the entrance, but the officer allegedly remained inside for several minutes. A small amount of marijuana was allegedly found, but Bethany said the officer told him the warrant was the reason for the visit. Bethany was not charged with marijuana that night.
After the arrest, Dawson allegedly contacted Bethany’s mother, Cathy Hamilton, and asked her to remove his belongings within approximately 10 days to avoid a formal eviction proceeding. Hamilton did not remove the property because Bethany had not authorized her to surrender his apartment.
Hamilton began requesting evidence, police information, lease provisions and Housing Authority policies supporting the proposed eviction. The Housing Authority issued a formal Notice of Termination on July 28 and filed the eviction case July 29.
The eviction petition alleges violations of the Housing Authority’s Criminal Activity Policy and Drug Free Housing Policy. Dawson later stated that the Housing Authority received written information from Teague police alleging marijuana was smelled and observed inside the apartment.
Dawson’s later communications reportedly referred to multiple reasons for the eviction, a 2024 possession matter, federal housing policies and the Teague Police Department’s expectation that she follow the law.
Bethany has significant reading and comprehension limitations. A previous court-appointed attorney reported that Bethany could not read, was having difficulty understanding instructions and needed an evaluation. Dawson has also acknowledged in writing that Bethany has difficulty understanding complicated situations.
Bethany alleges Housing Authority officials have not directly explained the eviction allegations, evidence or court process in a way he can understand. He has relied heavily on his mother for assistance.
Bethany’s eviction hearing is scheduled for Aug. 20. Lone Star Legal Aid has completed an urgent intake of the case.
Quanell X has obtained a police report that reportedly confirms an officer communicated with Dawson during the arrest. His investigation is focused on obtaining body-camera footage, identifying what police and Housing Authority officials communicated, determining when the written police information was created and received, and reviewing whether Bethany’s housing and disability-related rights were protected.
