House illegally transferred while owner was in hospice, police say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is accused of illegally transferring a woman’s Memphis home into his name while she was bedridden in hospice care.
Levern Evans told police he purchased the house on Carpenter Street in Binghampton from its owner on May 17. Records show he filed a quit claim deed on that date, police said.
Police said they responded to a complaint call at the house May 20, as Evans was cleaning it out. He told officers he had permission from the former owner, but couldn’t provide police with proof of the transaction.
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But the owner’s son, who has power of attorney, says his mother was in hospice care in another state suffering from dementia and stage 4 cancer, and he hadn’t transferred the property. He pressed charges on behalf of his mother.
Evans, 47, was arrested Sunday and charged with theft of property $10,000-$60,000, forgery $10,000-$60,000 and unlawful transfer.
Shermarrow Darnell, who notarized the transfer, is charged with official misconduct in connection with the case. Both were released without bond.
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The property is appraised by the Shelby County Assessor at $28,000.
Property records list Evans as the owner, showing he quitclaimed it on May 17 for $9,000. His mailing address is listed next door on Carpenter.
We went to Evan’s address listed on court documents, but it didn’t look like anyone lived there.
County records show Evans owns two other properties. Both properties were obtained through quit claim deeds. Nothing indicates that those deeds are being called into question.
WREG Investigators have told you about similar stories before. Sometimes, it would be months or years before the owner found out that someone filed a fraudulent quit claim deed, taking ownership of a property.
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State law says the register’s office is only responsible for the recording of legal documents, meaning if the paperwork is filled out right, they can’t question it and have no other choice but to file it.
Shelby County Register Willie Brooks wasn’t available for an interview Monday but told us his office is working hard to stop property fraud by creating a task force and using “enhanced technology.”
A free mobile application Brooks launched allows property owners to sign up for the Fraud Alert Program.
Once property owners sign up, they will get an immediate email alert when any document is recorded that matches their name so that you can review it on the register of deeds website and act before it is too late.
If you would like to learn more about the free fraud alert program and how to sign up, click here. Brooks says if you don’t have an email, you can go to the register’s office, and staff will sign you up so you can receive alerts by mail instead.
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