Florida Man Sentenced for ID Theft, Home Sale Scam

Alexandria, VA – In a brazen scheme, Jose Manuel Santiago, 43, of Sarasota, flaunted the law by stealing identities of homeowners in multiple states and selling their homes to unsuspecting buyers.

U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema delivered the verdict: Santiago is to spend three years behind bars for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The scheme unraveled in February 2020, as the pandemic lockdown descended upon the nation.

According to court documents, Santiago identified vacant homes in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and other states. He then orchestrated the theft of homeowner identities and sold these properties to innocent buyers.

Co-conspirator Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, 40, played a pivotal role in the scheme. Together, they opened and controlled bank accounts in the names of the property owners. Hamilton and Santiago recruited other individuals, including Vernon Lavoie, 59, to appear before mobile notaries with fake identification.

Lavoie, the 59-year-old accomplice, would then forge the homeowners’ signatures on closing documents. After the sales, the recruits would withdraw the money and provide it to Santiago and Hamilton. Santiago paid his recruits with small sums of cash or illicit substances.

Throughout the conspiracy, the trio allegedly attempted to sell at least 10 properties and stole the identities of at least 10 individuals. They managed to obtain $581,808 and attempted to acquire an additional $768,175. The true extent of the scheme’s damage may never be fully known, as some purchases were successfully reversed, while others saw rightful owners left with nothing.

Santiago’s guilty plea came on February 20, while Hamilton’s plea was entered on February 6. Hamilton received a measly one-day prison sentence. Lavoie, who faced separate charges, received a two-year, seven-month prison term.

U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber and FBI Special Agent David J. Scott announced the sentencing, underscoring the gravity of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell L. Carlberg and Christopher Hood prosecuted the case, with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina Cuellar significantly contributing to the investigation.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia emphasized that a copy of the press release can be found on their website, along with related court documents and information on the District Court website or PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-193.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a concerted effort to combat white-collar crime in the region, vowing to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of identity theft and real estate scams on innocent victims. As law enforcement continues to work tirelessly to dismantle these schemes, the Grimy Times remains committed to shedding light on the darkest corners of the justice system.