Fort Worth Feds Invoke Mail Fraud Statute To Bag Suspect For Allegedly Using Forged Deeds To Acquire, Convey Interests In 100+ Properties

In Fort Worth, Texas, the Star Telegram reports:

• A federal grand jury returned an indictment for mail fraud against an Arlington man accused of stealing houses. The indictment alleges that between January 2007 to Feb. 26, 2010, when he was arrested, Norris Fisher, 62, illegally acquired real estate that did not belong to him by creating and filing forged warranty deeds with the Tarrant County clerk's office.

• The properties were often vacant lots with unpaid back taxes due or they had weed liens filed against them by the city of Fort Worth. After identifying a property, Fisher would often file a forged warranty deed transferring the property to a fictitious buyer, forging the signature of the true property owner, and forging the signature and notary stamp affixed to the documents, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

• After fraudulently transferring the stolen property several times, Fisher identified real buyers and sold the property to them. These buyers were unaware that Fisher had stolen the properties by forging warranty deeds and had sold or leased the properties' mineral rights. According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, Fisher acquired more than 100 real properties in Tarrant County, valued at more than $1 million.

Source: Arlington man indicted on mail fraud charge.

For the U.S. Attorney (Fort Worth) press release, see Federal Grand Jury Indicts Fort Worth, Texas Man For Mail Fraud.