CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The inventory of Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds, a well-known Chattanooga jewelry store, has been seized following a court order stemming from a civil lawsuit filed by Louisa Hurst.
A sign posted on the door of the Brainerd Road business states that all contents inside have been seized under the authority of the Hamilton County Chancery Court, as part of the case Louisa Hurst v. Rick Davis.
Attorney Buddy Presley, who represents Hurst, said the legal battle began after Hurst’s $100,000 family heirloom ring—originally stolen in 2013—was traced to Davis’s store. Presley alleges that Davis purchased the ring for $150 but could not return it when contacted. Davis later agreed in court to pay $85,000 in restitution but failed to follow through.
As a result, Presley secured a lien on the store’s inventory. The seized assets are scheduled to be sold the last weekend of April, though Presley expects the sale will only generate around $40,000. These proceeds will go exclusively to Hurst under the secured agreement.
However, Hurst isn’t the only victim. Others, including Susan Darwin, have filed separate civil and criminal complaints. Darwin claims she lost $32,000 in silver after Davis failed to pay her as promised. Her name appears in a criminal indictment against Davis.
Davis has faced increasing legal trouble in recent months. In early 2025, he was arrested for two counts of passing worthless checks, and he was indicted by a Hamilton County Grand Jury on six counts of theft for incidents that allegedly occurred between December 2023 and May 2024.
Just last week, FBI agents were seen executing court-authorized searches at Davis’s business and his East Ridge home, further signaling the seriousness of ongoing investigations.
Darwin, speaking out on the case, said she hopes all victims eventually receive justice.
