The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Thomas Ray Kelso, the former owner and manager of rental properties previously known as Briarwood Apartments in Searcy, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit also names as a defendant Avatar Investments LLC, which owned the rental properties during Kelso’s management.

Kelso was the incorporator/organizer and registered agent of Avatar Investments, according to the Arkansas secretary of state’s online incorporation search. Avatar was incorporated in 2010.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Little Rock, alleges Kelso sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2001 until his arrest in 2023.

Kelso was sentenced in January to 20 years in federal prison following his co

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