Man Attempted to Cloud Property Title After Failed Purchase
A Richland man is facing felony charges after he allegedly filed multiple liens against a property in Van Buren County following a failed real estate purchase.
George Demarkus Parnell, 40, of Richland is charged with real property fraudulent conveyances and real property encumber without lawful cause, both felonies, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.
The incident occurred at a property located in the 22000 block of M-43 Highway in Almena Township.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to Sheriff Daniel Abbott, the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office conducted a fraud investigation after becoming aware of suspicious activity regarding a house for sale in the area.
Through the investigation, it was learned that Parnell had requested a showing of the property, which was listed online through a realtor.
"Parnell made an offer on the property and home that was initially agreed upon, however Parnell did not honor the terms of the buy/sell agreement," Sheriff Abbott stated.
The purchase of the property was immediately terminated when Parnell failed to meet the terms of the agreement.
However, instead of walking away from the deal, Parnell then proceeded to file multiple liens against the property through the Van Buren County Register of Deeds Office, effectively clouding the property title and creating legal complications for the property owners.
Charges Filed
The report was submitted to the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office, which then authorized the felony charges of:
- Real Property - Fraudulent Conveyances
- Real Property - Encumber Without Lawful Cause
Parnell was arrested and is currently lodged in the Van Buren County Jail being held on bond.
The charges expose a pattern of attempted real estate fraud, where the suspect tried to cloud a property title after failing to complete a purchase he had agreed to honor.
Community Impact
This type of real estate fraud can have significant consequences for property owners, making it difficult to sell or refinance the property. The filing of liens without lawful cause clouds the title and can trigger lengthy legal proceedings to clear the property records.
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate and has made this information available to the public to help prevent similar incidents.
More Information
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at (269) 657-3101.
Additional reporting is available through:
- Crime Stoppers: 1-800-342-7867
- Silent Observer: (269) 343-2100
- Text Tip Soft to "CRIMES" (274637) from a mobile phone with the keyword VBCTIP
- Online tip submission available through the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office website