California Man Says "Prove It" To Multiple San Diego-Area Mansion-Stealing, Deed Theft Allegations; Local Authorities Notice Phony Deed Filing Trend

In San Diego, California, XETV Channel 6 reports:

• A 43-year-old man pleaded not guilty [last week] to numerous counts in an alleged real estate fraud case in which the perpetrators allegedly filed deeds under the guise of a religious order. Terry Lee Herron, 43, was charged with conspiracy to file false documents and conspiracy to commit forgery, said Deputy District Attorney Marlene Coyne.

• Herron also faces 12 counts of filing false documents and six of forging documents, Coyne said. The original defendant in the case, Maurice Antoine Simmons, 31, was also charged with two conspiracy counts, Coyne said. Simmons was accused last year of taking blank grant deeds and filling them out as if he owned the properties -- a condominium in San Diego and five homes in Chula Vista, according to Coyne. She said three properties were owned by banks and two by private individuals.

• Authorities said they have noticed a trend in which people claim ownership of properties by filing bogus grant deeds. The fraudulent owners then move people into the vacant or distressed homes. Investigators said the perpetrators claim to be immune from prosecution because they file the deeds under the guise of a religious order known as the Sovereign Solomon Brothers Archbishop Corporation Sole.

• Herron, who was ordered held on $40,000 bail by Judge David Szumowski, is also known as King Solomon II, according to Coyne. "He's part of the sovereign movement, which doesn't recognize government authority," Coyne said.

For more, see Plea Entered in Mansion Stealing Scheme.

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