An elderly homeowner was forced out of his own home and arrested after alleged fraudsters used documents to claim ownership of his home.
Charles and Charmaine Allman, who have lived in their home for the past two decades, were abruptly informed by officials that they were no longer the rightful owners of their residence and were ordered to vacate immediately.
In an interview with WSB-TV, Charmaine Allman expressed the shock and indignation they felt, saying: "They made us feel like we were squatters. Just tossed my stuff out like it was trash."
The couple’s belongings were unceremoniously scattered across their yard.
According to reports, an anonymous individual allegedly fabricated a deed and submitted fraudulent documents electronically to Dekalb County, effectively transferring ownership of the Allmans' property.
The couple grew suspicious when they started receiving letters confirming a second mortgage, despite having no outstanding debts on their home.
"We don’t have no more mortgage," said Allman, highlighting the confusion and disbelief surrounding the situation.
The alleged new homeowner claimed to have acquired the property through foreclosure, further complicating matters for the Allmans.
When Charles Allman refused to leave his home upon request, he was arrested on a Criminal Trespass warrant, as indicated by jail records, per the New York Post.
"How does this happen, period?" Charmaine Allman asked. "It’s very upsetting to see my husband in handcuffs at 77 years old and placed in the car because he didn’t want to leave his home. He has nowhere to go. No family."
After spending time in custody, Charles Allman was released from jail on Thursday evening.
Legal experts, such as real estate attorney Richard Alembik, have highlighted the vulnerability of property owners to such fraudulent activities. Alembik emphasized the ease with which deeds can be forged and recorded, particularly due to the convenience of electronic filing systems.
"It’s too easy to forge a deed and record it," Alembik warned.
This incident in Stone Mountain echoes a similar case in New York City, where a homeowner was arrested for attempting to remove suspected squatters from her property in Queens.
Adele Andaloro, 47, found herself embroiled in a legal battle after changing the locks on her inherited home, only to be confronted by tenants claiming to be legitimate renters.
Expressing her frustration, Andaloro told ABC's Eye Witness News: "It’s enraging. It’s not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this."
The conflict erupted when Andaloro initiated the home's sale process last month, only to discover squatters had taken residence and replaced the front door and locks.
Fed up with the situation, Andaloro, accompanied by a local TV crew, visited her family's home on 160th Street on February 29, where she enlisted a locksmith to change the locks, sparking a confrontational scene.
Police intervened and escorted two individuals off the property, revealing a legal loophole allowing individuals to claim "squatter’s rights" after just 30 days of residence in New York City.
