Midwest Academy closed its doors in early 2016 following a raid by local, state, and federal law enforcement agents investigating allegations of sexual abuse. More than three years later, the property could get a new owner.

The radio story

Oak Helm Partners 4 LC (Davenport, IA) published a “Notice of Expiration of Right of Redemption” in the Daily Gate City newspaper’s classified section on Monday, February 25. The notice is in regard to 2416 340th Street, Keokuk.

The 43-acre lot includes a single-family home and seven buildings that were used by Midwest Academy, a self-described therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens. The lot was included in a county tax auction in June 2016 due to unpaid property taxes.

Oak Helm, which describes itself as a real estate investment firm, purchased the tax certificate for the property during the auction. By doing so, Oak Helm has had to pay all past/current property taxes to the tune of roughly $200,000.

Jeanne Cooper with the Lee County Treasurer’s Office said Oak Helm has held the tax certificate long enough that it can now seek full ownership of the property. And the first step in doing so was the filing of the notice in the newspaper.

Cooper said the filing alerts people with a potential interest in 2416 340th Street that Oak Helm plans to take ownership.

Cooper said if no one comes forward, Oak Helm could acquire the property by mid-May. If someone does make a claim to the property, they would have to pay the $200,000 bill (Oak Helm would be reimbursed) plus $85,000 in interest to Oak Helm (charged at 2%/month).

Oak Helm told Tri States Public Radio this week that it would start considering what to do with the property once it took ownership.

Current Owner

Online records list Midwest Twister (Laverkin, UT) as the owner of the property, which is valued at nearly $2,000,000. The company acquired the property in 2006.

Midwest Twister has been named in several lawsuits related to Midwest Academy and former owner Ben Trane. Trane was convicted in December 2017 of child endangerment, sexual exploitation of a child by a counselor, and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.

But Midwest Twister has denied any connection to the school and Trane in numerous court filings, other than the fact that Trane leased the property from Midwest Twister.

An attorney for Midwest Twister said they would get back to Tri States Public Radio after we asked whether the company planned to try to maintain ownership of the property.