Federal prisoner in Texas continues seeking court time in Madison County

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth on March 18 granted an imprisoned man’s request to sue as an “indigent person.”

Timothy Baker, 54, an inmate in the Federal Corrections Institution in Seagoville, Texas, is suing his daughter Michelle Dawson alleging she will cause him to lose his Madison home. He claims she failed to pay real estate property taxes on the property, even though he provided her with the means to pay the bills.

Baker states in his petition that his income is less than $50 per month.

He filed suit on March 4 over the property he says he will lose at 302 McNair in Madison.

Baker claims he now owes $6,610.67 for the unpaid costs associated with back taxes and that he will lose the property to tax deed in August 2013.

He claims he lost additional property to thieves who ransacked his home after his son abandoned the property.

In addition, Dawson got rid of property without Baker’s permission, causing him losses of $64,060, according to the complaint.

He claims his losses, including real and personal property, total $141,670.67.

Baker will appear pro se and has asked to be allowed to utilize a video camera to access court hearings, because he is not allowed to leave prison.

Madison County Associate Judge Tom Chapman was assigned to the case March 12.

Baker, who pleaded guilty Jan. 7, 2011, to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 52 months in prison. He is scheduled to be released in May 2014.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-351.