Fort Worth Weekly Classifieds // February 4-10, 2026

METROPOLIS

Threat to Fairness

The fate of a mentally ill TCU grad and former Democratic activist may be decided by the local GOP machine.

BY MARK HENRICKS

Next week, a Fort Worth court will either send Dylan Lofton to prison or reinstate the probation he received last year after telephoning threats to a county commissioner. One issue is whether mentally ill offenders belong in jail. Another is whether politics influenced Republican officials’ handling of the case against a former Democratic Party volunteer.

Lofton’s mother has no doubt about whether her 28-year-old son is getting fair treatment.

“We’ve tried to make them aware from the very beginning that this is a mental illness situation,” said Crystal Ledet. “They’ve just thrown the book at him.”

Why Lofton might receive harsher handling is another question. Some who know both Lofton and the local political scene say they know the answer.

“This is saturated in politics,” said one Democratic insider who knew Lofton but did not wish to be identified. “I don’t think this would be happening the way it is if the general election were not happening now. There is not a Republican in Tarrant County that is not afraid and concerned about this election cycle.”

It’s certain that last March Lofton made a series of phone calls to the office of Commissioner Manny Ramirez. In graphic, racist language, Lofton threatened Ramirez with physical harm.

Fort Worth police traced the calls to Lofton’s apartment and arrested him. District Attorney Phil Sorrells’ office charged Lofton with a felony for threatening a law enforcement officer. Ramirez, a former policeman, is still technically a reserve officer.

Lofton was held in the county jail until November, when he pleaded guilty and received a sentence of five years of probation. In similar cases when mental illness appears present, Tarrant

County MHMR typically shows up when inmates are released. They counsel family members and ensure the person’s mental health needs are addressed. That didn’t happen this time.

Within days, Lofton’s parents, concerned about his increasingly erratic behavior, called 911. Ledet said they wanted an ambulance. Instead, they got Fort Worth police, who escorted Lofton to John Peter Smith Hospital’s psychiatric unit. While there, Lofton was diagnosed with schizophrenia and began taking medication. He improved and was released to his parents.

The same day, Lofton reported to his probation officer and was promptly arrested for violating probation, which required wearing an ankle monitor, as well as threatening a family member. Ledet denied reporting threats. She also said the probation office told her that not wearing the monitor in the hospital would not be a violation.

Regardless, Lofton was arrested and has been in jail since. The hearing to decide whether to reinstate probation or send him to prison for two to 10 years happens Thursday, Feb. 12, in Judge Andy Porter’s Criminal District Court 4.

The district attorney’s office declined comment on its plans for the hearing. However,

continued on page 5

Ledet said the public defender assigned to the case expects prosecutors to demand prison time. The case is not being heard in the mental health diversion court set up to help incarcerated persons with mental illness receive treatment instead of jail.

People who know Lofton agree that, until a few years ago, he was a model citizen. A graduate of Chisholm Trail High School and TCU, Lofton went to law school in Arkansas and become a licensed attorney in Texas. He was active in the Democratic Party for a few years starting about a decade ago and eventually served as a precinct chair.

Lofton worked for Justice of the Peace Sergio De Leon before and after law school. The judge wrote letters of recommendation for his law school application.

Lofton, De Leon said, was “a very nice, respectable, and overall great person. Otherwise, we would not have had him come back twice. It took us as a complete shock the things that he did and the issues he experienced.”

Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Allison Campolo got to know Lofton as a party volunteer and said he stood out for his commitment and character.

“Dylan was one of those important voices,” Campolo said. “He was always coming to council meetings. He was always protesting.”

Another local political activist agreed. “He was always unfailingly respectful, the absolute model Boy Scout. He would say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, ma’am.’ ”

And numerous additional colleagues and friends signed notarized affidavits attesting to Lofton’s sterling character and behavior.

It’s also agreed that a few years ago, Lofton began behaving erratically. He quit his first job as a lawyer, citing fears that he was being conspired against at work. He lost another job and used alcohol excessively.

By last spring, Lofton was claiming to be born in Ireland, the son of an Irish Republican Army bomber, and not related to his actual mother. He began speaking to everyone in an Irish accent, including when making the offending phone calls to Ramirez.

Lofton’s bizarre behavior didn’t stop MHMR from certifying him as competent. His parents hired an independent forensic psychologist to examine him. She found Lofton was schizophrenic and suffering from paranoid delusions and recommended hospitalization.

The court, however, accepted Lofton’s guilty plea to the criminal charges and released him on probation. Soon after, he expressed a belief that he was engaged to be married to then-local Fox television reporter Hanna Battah, now with Good Morning America

Shortly afterward, Lofton’s behavior deteriorated further, and his parents called for help. That led him to JPS, where doctors diagnosed schizophrenia and began treatment.

Back in March when Lofton was arrested for the threats, many people had concerns about political tension. At the time, Ramirez said, “I hope that there’s an awareness out there that the level of rhetoric and the level of violent threats is growing, and it’s unacceptable.”

Ramirez’s hopes were seemingly fulfilled, given Lofton’s eight-month jail stay and rapid arrest after being released on probation. Since then, Lofton has continued being treated as a dangerous

criminal who deserves jail rather than a mentally ill person with a treatable condition.

“This was a crime and should be treated as such,” said one observer who requested anonymity for privacy’s sake, “but once you find that someone is suffering from acute mental illness, it should be treated appropriately. No one else who has this kind of charge against him sits in jail for eight months and receives this kind of treatment.”

Their theory is that local Republican officials are posturing about being threatened by dangerous liberals.

Others trace Lofton’s handling directly to his previous political activity.

“This seems like a case of political retribution,” Campolo said. “He used to be a very strong Democratic volunteer and a precinct chair before he went to law school.

“We’re glad that the commissioner is safe and nothing bad happened,” Campolo continued, “but they’re throwing the book at this poor kid who has been repeatedly diagnosed with a schizophrenic break. It definitely seems like they’re not treating him fairly.”

Ironically, Lofton’s personal politics apparently turned conservative in recent years. Today, he’s described as much closer to pro-Trump. That may not matter, however, if local officials use the case to make political hay.

Lofton’s mental health reportedly has also changed markedly with access to medication prescribed for his condition.

“He’s talking to me like a normal person again,” Ledet said. “He’s totally making sense. His delusions are gone.”

Next week, Lofton will either go to prison or get out on probation with a chance to regain his mental health, eventually clear his record, and even practice law again. To do that, he and his attorney will have to convince the court he needs treatment rather than incarceration and possibly also that politics does not outweigh justice.

Ledet plans to send Ramirez a letter pleading with him to support treatment instead of jail Lofton, but her concerns extend beyond her child.

“I think mentally ill people in Tarrant County are not getting the help they need,” she said. “My son is a good example of it.” l

Dem Trounces Trump-Backed R in Trump Country Senate Runoff

By defeating Southlake

Republican Leigh Wambsganns by double digits in the race for Texas Senate District 9, Taylor Rehmet becomes the first Democrat to carry the district since the hair-metal era.

commentator Steve

“As Tarrant County goes, so goes Texas, right? As Texas goes, so goes MAGA. And as MAGA goes, so goes the United States of America. And as the United States of America goes, so goes the world.”

nothing but repeat the same petty grievances and culture-war-nonsense talking points wafting out of D.C. like the stink of a dirty diaper every day.

“Tonight,” Rehmet said in a statement, “we proved that when leaders take communities seriously, listen to voters, and fight for working people, new outcomes become possible. From the very beginning, this campaign has focused on the real issues people face every day: lowering costs, protecting public schools, and restoring trust in a broken political system. That message brought together folks from across Senate District 9 who may not always agree but share a belief that the government should work for everyday Texans.”

Working in Rehmet’s favor, Wambsganss’ primary opponent, John Huffman, the best funded of all three candidates thanks to casino interests, did not throw his supporters her way after losing to her. Though high-rolling Republican donors emptied their pockets into Wambsganns’ campaign and Trump made a big deal out of endorsing her and urging MAGA to the polls, she still lost by double digits. Rehmet won by +14, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent SD-9 since the year of our Lord 1983, with 57% of the vote.

District 9 includes a huge swath of Fort

Rehmet: “Tonight, we proved that when leaders take communities seriously, listen to voters, and fight for working people, new outcomes become possible.”

so goes Texas, right? As Texas goes, so goes MAGA. And as MAGA goes, so goes the United States of America. And as the United States of America goes, so goes the world.”

Trump’s mishandling of the economy and war on everyday citizens in the name of border patrol partly explain his dismal poll numbers, with the Pew Research Center reporting a disapproval

HAPPY HOUR

One Day You’ve Got a Backyard. Two Days Later You’ve Got a Building.

By Jacob Broussard

There’s a difference between a company that sells sheds and one that actually builds them. SE Yard Solutions falls into the second camp.

The owner grew up with sawdust everywhere and a hammer nearby, straightening bent nails and pounding them into blocks of wood his dad brought home. Bruised thumbs taught lessons that stuck. His grandpa built sheds and houses across the Midwest. His dad put in over 30 years constructing agricultural buildings and custom log homes. By 18, he was already a shop foreman at an upscale portable log cabin company in Ohio. Since then, he’s built sheds across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Washington. That kind of background shows up in the finished product.

Check out their services online or give them a call at 682-730-2238 to verify that they build in your area.

Why On-Site Construction Matters

Most sheds for sale in Fort Worth or anywhere are pre-built structures delivered on flatbed trucks. Sounds convenient until you realize that if the shed won’t fit through your gate, you’re out of luck. If your backyard has awkward access, forget about it. And whatever size fits on that truck is what you’re getting, whether it works for your space or not. SE Yard Solutions does things differently. They bring tools & materials to your property and build your shed right where it’ll stand. No size restrictions. No delivery damage. No transport wear. The whole process typically wraps up in one to two days. On-site building requires more skill than assembling prefabricated kits. That’s exactly why they do it. The result is just better.

More Than Four Walls

A shed’s not just storage. It’s the spot for your grandpa’s old tools and the kids’ bikes and all the stuff that piles up in life. SE Yard Solutions builds them with that in mind. Want double doors wide enough for a riding mower? They can do that. Need extra height or specific dimensions for your yard? Not a problem. That’s the advantage of building on-site rather than shipping a generic product from a truck.

Three generations of know-how means they’ve figured out what actually lasts. Materials that beat the desert scorch or sticky Gulf summers. Foundations that handle shifting clay or rocky ground. Techniques tough enough for Texas weather. They draw on farm-tough builds and high-end home details, depending on the project’s needs.

Deals Worth Knowing About

In December, they ran a promotion offering up to $ 1,500 off sheds, with the exact amount varying by model. For January, they’ve shifted to 0% APR financing with no payments for up to 6 months. That kind of flexibility makes it easier to get moving on a project you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s a workshop space. Maybe a dedicated tool shed. Maybe you just want your garage back. It’s a good way to leverage your upcoming tax return if needed. The goal isn’t gimmicks. It’s removing barriers so people can actually move forward with projects that would make their lives easier.

Texas Proud

The owner’s a born-and-raised Texan who’s thrilled to be back home doing this work for folks right here. Every shed they put up reflects that Made in America spirit. Solid work. Straight-up honesty. Real dedication to Texas neighbors. This isn’t just a job. It’s about taking everything learned traveling the country and pouring it back into the place he calls home. For Fort Worth homeowners ready to talk through options, SE Yard Solutions offers straightforward consultations. No pressure or obligation. Just a conversation about what might work for your property and your situation. Not in Fort Worth? Their service area covers you whether you’re in Denton, Decatur, Weatherford or just about anywhere within 50-60 miles of the Fort Worth metro.

Continued online. Use the QR to read more at FWWeekly.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS OIL AND GAS DIVISION

DISTRICT 05 STATUS/PERMIT NO. 912945

DATE OF ISSUANCE: JAN 27, 2026

NOTICE OF PROTEST DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, FEB 17, 2026

ADDRESS: RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

ATTN: DRILLING PERMIT UNIT

P. O. BOX 12967

AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2967

FAX: (512) 463-6780

EMAIL: SWR37@RRC.TEXAS.GOV

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the UPP OPERATING, LLC, [RRC Operator No. 875310] has made application for a spacing exception permit under the provisions of Railroad Commission Statewide Rule 37 (16 Tex. Admin. Code section 3.37). Applicant seeks exception to the lease line distance requirement because the Applicant is less than the required Rule 37 lease line distance to an unleased or non-pooled interest within the subject unit for the RECOMPLETION permit in Sec. , Bk. , MAISE, M Survey, A-1001, NEWARK, EAST (BARNETT SHALE) Field, TARRANT County, being 0 miles Within direction from ARLINGTON, Texas.

PURSUANT TO THE TERMS of Railroad Commission rules and regulations, this application may be granted WITHOUT A HEARING if no protest to the application is received within the deadline. An affected person is entitled to protest this application. Affected persons include owners of record and the operator or lessees of record of adjacent tracts and tracts nearer to the proposed well than the minimum lease line spacing distance. If you have questions which are specific to the Application or the information set forth in this Notice, please contact the Commission’s Drilling Permit Unit at (512)463-6751. If a hearing is called, the applicant has the burden to prove the need for an exception. A Protestant should be prepared to establish standing as an affected person, and to appear at the hearing either in person or by qualified representative and protest the application with cross-examination or presentation of a direct case. The rules of evidence are applicable in the hearing. If you have any questions regarding the hearing procedure, please contact the Commission’s Docket Services Department at (512)463-6848

IF YOU WISH TO REQUEST A HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION, AN INTENT TO APPEAR IN PROTEST MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE RAILROAD COMMISSION’S AUSTIN OFFICE AT THE ADDRESS, FAX NUMBER, OR E-MAIL ADDRESS SET OUT ABOVE BY Feb 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. IF NO PROTEST IS RECEIVED WITHIN SUCH TIME, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO PROTEST AND THE REQUESTED PERMIT MAY BE GRANTED ADMINISTRATIVELY.

THIS NOTICE OF APPLICATION REQUIRES PUBLICATION

The location and identity of the well is as shown below:

FIELD: NEWARK, EAST (BARNETT SHALE)

Lease/Unit Name : YU UNIT

Lease/Unit Well No. : 4H

Lease/Unit Acres : 604.87

Nearest Lease Line (ft) : null

Nearest Well on Lease (ft) : 642.0

Lease

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The following vehicles have been impounded with fees due to date by Lone Star Towing (VSF0647382) at 1100 Elaine Pl, Fort Worth TX, 76196, 817-334-0606: Ford, 1964, C10, VIN 4D66C128229, $650.45.

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