Bronx Cops & Lawyer Steal $340K From Widow’s Home

BRONX, NY – A chilling betrayal unfolded in the Bronx as authorities announced the arrests of three individuals accused of preying on a grieving husband and stealing his rightful inheritance. Chenenne Guevarra-Francis, a retired New York City Police Department (NYPD) detective; Merrick Dammar, an attorney; and Barbara Guevarra-Francis, a retired nurse, stand accused of a calculated scheme to siphon off a $340,000 share of a family home.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed a callous plot initiated immediately following the July 2020 death of Charmein Guevarra-Samuel, who succumbed to cardiac arrest. While her husband stood to inherit her 50 percent stake in the Eastchester Road home she shared with her mother, Barbara, Chenenne and Barbara allegedly forged a deed and property transfer documents to illegally transfer Charmein’s ownership to themselves. Merrick Dammar allegedly facilitated the fraud by preparing and notarizing the falsified paperwork on the very day of Charmein’s death.

“Deed theft is a heartless crime, and it’s particularly tragic when the thieves are stealing from their own family members,” declared Attorney General Letitia James. “Charmein Guevarra-Francis’ family used her death to steal her share of the family home from her widowed husband, but today we are bringing them to justice. My office will continue to go after deed theft in all of its forms to keep New Yorkers safe in their homes.” The scheme came to light when the husband attempted to settle his wife’s estate and discovered the fraudulent transfer. A subsequent attempt by Chenenne to evict the husband was blocked thanks to a new deed theft law spearheaded by Attorney General James.

All three defendants – Chenenne Guevarra-Francis, Barbara Guevarra-Francis, and Merrick Dammar – have been charged with multiple felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a class C felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony), Forgery in the Second Degree (a class D felony), Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a class D felony), and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (a class E felony). A conviction on the top charge carries a potential sentence of five to fifteen years in prison.

The OAG investigation was bolstered by assistance from the New York State Police and the New York City Department of Finance. Detectives Teresa Russo, Christopher Ryan, and Jennifer Garcia led the investigative work, overseen by Supervising Detectives Anna Ospanova and Walter Lynch, Deputy Chief Juanita Bright, Detective Specialist John Collins, Supervising Detective Norman Doyle, and Deputy Chief Investigator Sean Donovan. Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes heads the Investigations Bureau.

Assistant Attorneys General Lauren Sass and Joy Kieras are prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that these are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to exploit tragedy for personal gain, and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable families from predatory schemes. The OAG urges anyone suspecting deed theft to immediately contact their office.