Title Fraud Scheme Unravels in Almena Township
A 40-year-old Richland man is facing felony charges after attempting to cloud the title of a property in Van Buren County he was unable to purchase.
George Demarkus Parnell, 40, of Richland, Michigan is currently being held in the Van Buren County Jail on bond after being charged with two felony counts:
- Real Property-Fraudulent Conveyances
- Real Property-Encumber Without Lawful Cause
The charges stem from an attempted real estate transaction that went south in the 22000 block of M-43 Highway in Almena Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.
Failed Deal Leads to Liens
Parnell had made an offer on the property that was listed for sale through a local realtor and had reached an agreement with the seller. However, according to Sheriff Daniel Abbott, Parnell did not honor the terms of the buy/sell agreement.
The purchase was immediately terminated when Parnell failed to follow through with the deal.
Rather than walking away from the failed transaction, Parnell filed multiple liens against the property through the Van Buren County Register of Deeds Office, effectively clouding the property title and complicating matters for the actual buyer.
Sheriff Launches Investigation
Sheriff Daniel Abbott reports that the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office conducted a fraud investigation into the property purchase attempt.
Through the investigation, authorities learned that Parnell had requested a showing of the property and made an offer that was initially agreed upon by all parties involved.
However, Parnell did not honor the terms of the agreement, leading to the immediate termination of the purchase. Parnell then proceeded to file the liens that clouded the property title.
The report was submitted to the Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which authorized the felony charges of Real Property-Fraudulent Conveyances and Real Property-Encumber Without Lawful Cause.
Parnell Now Facing Prison
Parnell was arrested and is currently lodged in the Van Buren County Jail being held on bond.
The incident has raised questions about real estate fraud schemes in the area and the importance of honoring purchase agreements.
Contact Information
For immediate reporting regarding this case, contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at (269) 657-3101.
Additional reporting is available at:
- Crime Stoppers: 1-800-342-7867
- Silent Observer: (269) 343-2100
- Local Police Department
Mobile phone users and online users can provide anonymous crime tips to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office by sending a text message to "CRIMES" (274637) with the keyword VBCTIP.
About the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Van Buren County, Michigan. Located in Paw Paw at 205 South Kalamazoo Street, the department works to protect residents and maintain community safety throughout the county.