Davenport house raided, boarded up

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By Ann McGlynn | Monday, August 4, 2008 11:33 PM CDT | () comments

The house at 818 W. 14th St., Davenport, has been boarded up after police showed up last week to serve a search warrant. Police said 22 people, including 15 children who have been removed by authorities. (Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

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Davenport House

A house near one of Davenport’s most notorious intersections is boarded up, 15 children removed by authorities are with family members, and police say criminal charges are likely in what one detective called some of the worst conditions he’s seen in his 26-year career.

Twenty-two people were inside the house at 818 W. 14th St. when police pounded on the door Friday morning to serve a search warrant for stolen bicycles, said Sgt. Bruce McKee, who said that the house ranks among his five worst.

The 15 children removed from the two-story house ranged in age from 4 months to 16 years old. Six adults were present as well in the 890-square-foot house, including Bessie Brown, who is purchasing the home on contract. She also is known as Bessie Howard.

One teen, 17-year-old Brett Roelandt, fled but was captured and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after he was spotted fleeing from the scene of a shooting at Iowa and Locust streets last week, McKee said.

More charges are expected, McKee said.

“We’re looking to hold someone accountable for the conditions those children were in,” he said.

The Howards are one of the area’s most well-known criminal families. Two of Bessie Brown’s sons, Milton Howard and Walter Howard, are registered sex offenders who list the house as their address. Brown also has a criminal record.

The building, just west of 14th and Gaines streets, is owned by Berthyl Holdings, a company whose registered agent is listed with the state of Iowa as John Fahs of Davenport. Brown and Fahs both declined comment Monday.

Police have been called to the house dozens of times since the beginning of the year, 26 times since June 1, McKee said. The calls ranged from reports of disturbances, family fights, drug activity, noise, guns and shots fired.

On Friday, police recovered bicycles, bicycle parts, a loaded handgun and ammunition. No drugs were found.

However, the police, fire, city, human services and health department officials who responded to the house did find deplorable conditions.

Eleven children shared two mattresses in one bedroom. One fan perched in a screen-less second-story window was the only source of ventilation for them. The only room with an air conditioner was Brown’s room.

A dirt backyard was littered with dozens of beer cans and garbage. The bathroom sink had no water. The cupboards and refrigerator were barren, but the oven contained a pan filled with chicken wings. The garage was packed with stuff.

The Iowa Department of Human Services placed the children in the care of family members, McKee said.

The city shut the house down, Fire Chief Mark Frese said, after inspectors found unacceptable electrical systems in the building. It is now boarded up.

The house is not considered a rental, which would make it fall under the city’s rental inspection program, Frese said. However, he questioned its nonrental status under the contract for purchase. For example, Fahs used the garage as storage, he said.

Additionally, Frese noted, the renters at a house across the street, 809-811 W. 14th St., were evicted over the weekend.

“The neighborhood gets a reprieve,” he said of an area that is known for persistent criminal activity. “How do you change behavior of people who continue to act the same no matter where they live? That’s the biggest challenge we have.”

House contract

Bessie Brown signed a contract in January 2007 to purchase the house at

818 W. 14th St., Davenport, on contract from Berthyl Holdings, whose registered agent is John Fahs of Davenport. The $35,000 purchase price was to be paid in monthly installments of $600, at 12 percent interest. The full balance is due by

January 2014.

The contract places virtually all responsibility for the house’s maintenance, insurance and taxes on Brown. If she defaults, the house reverts back to Berthyl Holdings, and Brown loses her investment.

A “peaceable possession” clause allows Berthyl Holdings to declare Brown in default if there is any activity on the property that disturbs the peace or violates laws or ordinances.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES

The house at 818 W. 14th St., Davenport, has been boarded up after police showed up last week to serve a search warrant. Police said 22 people, including 15 children who have been removed by authorities.