Marcus Wilcher, the mastermind behind a deed theft crew in Queens, has been handed a prison sentence of three to nine years for orchestrating the fraudulent sale of homes belonging to elderly or disabled owners. State Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing, highlighting the crew’s illicit gains of over $1 million through the use of forged documents. The targeted houses, located in Jamaica and St. Albans, were chosen based on their poor condition and absentee owners.
Wilcher, a resident of Long Island, collaborated with former mortgage broker Stacie Saunders, aged 53, to market the properties to investors at significantly discounted prices below the market value. To facilitate quick sales, Wilcher obtained personal information from the genuine owners and used it to create counterfeit driver’s licenses, social security cards, and bank cards. Disbarred attorney Anyekache Hercules, aged 49, was responsible for forging legal documents essential to the theft of the homes.
During contract signings and closings, Wilcher and Saunders enlisted the help of crew members Dean Lloyd, aged 63, and Jerry Currin, aged 67, to impersonate the real owners. The proceeds from the fraudulent sales were then laundered through out-of-state banks. Wilcher pleaded guilty to grand larceny in May and was sentenced on Friday for his involvement in the deed theft ring, which also included the theft of two additional properties in Queens.
Hercules, who also pleaded guilty to the scam, is set to receive a prison term of up to three years in September. Currin and Lloyd, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Saunders, awaiting trial, has yet to face judgment.
Deed fraud has been on the rise across the country, with a recent notable case involving community organizer and real estate agent Zina Thomas. In March, federal prosecutors charged Thomas with conspiring to steal over 30 homes in and around Detroit by forging quitclaim deeds. These fraudulent legal documents allowed her to transfer properties to fictitious entities without a traditional sale, subsequently selling them to unsuspecting third parties.
2 Responses
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the importance of empathy and collective responsibility in seeking justice. In the case of Marcus Wilcher’s deed theft crew, the victims were elderly or disabled homeowners who were taken advantage of. This quote reminds us that justice is not just the responsibility of the victims or those directly affected, but also the duty of society as a whole. It calls
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the importance of empathy and collective action in the pursuit of justice. In the case of Marcus Wilcher, his actions targeted vulnerable individuals, taking advantage of their age or disability. The quote suggests that true justice is only achieved when everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, is equally outraged by such acts of injustice. It emphasizes the need for