In a distressing turn of events in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Charles Allman found himself arrested and forcibly removed from his home of over two decades following a claim of ownership by an individual using fraudulent documents. Charles and his wife, Charmaine Allman, were informed by officials that they no longer owned their property and were required to vacate immediately, an action that left them feeling like they were being treated as squatters in their own home.
The controversy began when an unidentified man allegedly fabricated a deed, presenting these documents to Dekalb County online, thereby falsely claiming ownership of the Allman’s residence. The deceit was further complicated when the Allmans started receiving mail notifications about a second mortgage taken out on their property, an action they had not initiated, signaling the fraudulent activities taking place under their noses.
Charles Allman’s refusal to leave his property resulted in his arrest on charges of Criminal Trespassing, following a warrant filed on March 13. The arrest of the 77-year-old homeowner brought significant emotional distress to the couple, especially to Charmaine, who expressed her disbelief and upset over her husband’s treatment by the authorities.
After their eviction, the couple’s belongings were left scattered across their lawn, a visual testament to their sudden and unjust displacement. The individual claiming the property told the Allmans he had acquired it through foreclosure, a claim that added to the confusion and trauma experienced by the couple.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the ease of committing real estate fraud, particularly through the process of e-filing or e-recording of deeds. Richard Alembik, a real estate attorney, pointed out the simplicity with which forged deeds can be recorded in the current system, exacerbated by the lack of thorough checks by notaries on the identities of those submitting documents.
The Allmans’ case is not isolated, reflecting a broader issue of property fraud that can lead to legitimate homeowners being displaced, fined, and arrested based on fraudulent claims. It raises critical questions about the security of property ownership and the mechanisms in place to protect homeowners from such fraudulent activities.