Latest news with #SquatterReformAct
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4 days ago
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- Yahoo
Alleged squatter turns himself in after Channel 2 investigation
An alleged squatter is behind bars on a probation violation charge less than 24 hours after a Channel 2 Action News investigation shared the DeKalb County homeowners' struggles. On Thursday, Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln shared the story of a family fighting to get their childhood home back after they say squatters moved in the day after their father died. One of those alleged squatters, Dontarious Issac, turned himself in to DeKalb County police on Friday afternoon. 'Ashli, we are so excited. One of the things that annoys me is a criminal that thinks he is smarter than everybody else,' said Lisa Oliver-Heath. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lincoln spoke with Lisa Oliver-Heath over the phone Friday after learning about Issac's arrest. She and four of her siblings inherited this home from their late parents. In an incident report, Issac first told police he owned the home, but changed his story, saying he had a lease under a rental contract after putting down $4,500. 'My father would be turning over in his urn,' Lisa told Lincoln. Since moving in, the squatters have taken to social media to advertise a large pool party. Lincoln spoke with Issac on Thursday. At the time of that interview, he was apparently in violation of a Greene County probation order. MORE FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 In 2024, Issac was charged after using a drone to deliver contraband to inmates in Georgia prisons. He was sentenced to serve five years. He received credit for time served for 180 of those days. Some of the conditions for his probation include not being around drugs, alcohol, or weapons. The Olivers say some of the squatters approached them with weapons. 'That person came to the door with a rifle,' Kevin Oliver said. Issac was also supposed to let his probation officer know that his address had changed. Documents list a Marietta apartment complex as his last known address. Dekalb County confirmed with Channel 2 Action News that Issac is currently in the Greene County Jail. On Thursday afternoon, Channel 2 Action News was the only station there when three sheriff's deputies arrived at the house and spoke with the man behind the social media post. Under the Squatter Reform Act, the Olivers filed a squatters affidavit. The act was recently passed, allowing law enforcement to cite suspected squatters criminally for trespassing. A DeKalb County incident report reveals the alleged squatters were cited in this case. Lincoln learned that several of the squatters at this property have criminal records, specifically crimes related to squatting. The alleged squatters have until Monday to answer to this affidavit. There will be a court day next week on the matter. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
5 days ago
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- Yahoo
DeKalb family says childhood home taken over by squatters planning VIP pool party
The Oliver family says more than 40 years of history have been stolen by a group of alleged squatters. 'We lost our father on Wednesday, on Thursday, we learned someone has taken over the home that he built with his hands,' Lisa Oliver said. They fought back tears while speaking to Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln. They said the squatters tore off the home's surveillance system around 1 a.m. last Thursday. 'And cut the door knob and lock box off the door,' said Lisa. They say this house holds a lot of meaning because it's their childhood home. 'Our father was one of the first Black attorneys to have a law firm in DeKalb County,' she said. 'I wanted to do my last walkthrough, because it's the only house I've ever known,' Marlene Oliver-Bruce said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] DeKalb County records show the property is still in their deceased parents' names. In a Dekalb County incident report taken last Friday, the squatter first told police he owned the home, but changed his story, saying he had a lease under a rental contract. He told police he put down $4,500 for a down payment on a lease. The Olivers say that the day they were supposed to close on the home to a new buyer, they learned squatters were already inside. And when they went to confront the group, the men brandished rifles at their brother Kevin. 'That person came to the door with a rifle, which I clearly recognized as an AR-15 rifle,' Kevin told Lincoln. Since moving in, the squatters have taken to social media advertising a large pool party this weekend. Advertisements boast a pool party with food trucks and VIP parking. Lincoln went by the house, and spoke with the man behind all of the social media posts. When she asked him to show the lease, he would only reference the pool party. He claims the Olivers are not telling the truth and he has a lease, but he declined to show Lincoln the lease. 'We have people calling from Florida, and they're saying, 'Hey, we saw your dad's house on the internet,'' Lisa said. On Thursday afternoon, Channel 2 Action News was the only station there when three sheriff's deputies arrived at the house and spoke with the man behind the social media post. MORE FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: Disabled woman raising money to pay $900 bill because property owner didn't install wiring right Metro Atlanta mother says insurance will only cover fraction of son's international ATV accident Metro hospital prompting people to open medical credit card to pay for surgeries, patient says Under the Squatter Reform Act, the Olivers filed a squatters' affidavit. The act was recently passed, allowing law enforcement to cite suspected squatters criminally for trespassing. A DeKalb County incident report reveals the alleged squatters were cited in this case. 'If they have no documentation, they'll be out in three days,' said State Rep. Devan Seabaugh, who sponsored the bill. Under the new law, if the suspected squatter presents a lease, the case goes before a magistrate judge within seven days. A fake lease adds an extra felony charge. 'These are criminals that know exactly what they're doing, and they're taking advantage of the loophole that we had in our law. And we've corrected that,' Seabaugh said. Lincoln learned several of the squatters at this property have criminal records, specifically crimes related to squatting. The alleged squatters have until Monday to answer to this affidavit. There will be a court day next week on the matter. In the meantime, the Olivers are calling for their neighbors to call the police this weekend if this party does happen. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
