California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Mortgage Fraud Scheme
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Christopher Castle, a 57-year-old former Petaluma resident, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a bank fraud scheme.
Castle, who fled to Australia and New Zealand in 2011 before being extradited to the United States, was convicted of 35 counts of bank fraud. The scheme, which ran from April 22, 2010, to November 18, 2011, targeted distressed homeowners and involved the creation of fake deeds and other documents to make it appear as though the homeowners had refinanced their mortgages.
The scheme, which was operated through a Nevada City-based church named Shon-te-East-a, Walks With Spirit, or its successor entity Pillow Foundation, involved recruiting homeowners into the scheme and then causing the sale of their homes. The conspirators split the proceeds between themselves and the homeowners.
Castle directed other co-conspirators in all aspects of the scheme, including recruiting homeowners, creating fake documents, and guiding the homes through sale. The scheme resulted in the sale of 37 properties, with additional properties being targeted but not sold before the scheme was uncovered.
Castle’s sentence is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey B. Hemesath prosecuted the case.
Castle is not the only defendant in the case. Three other co-defendants have previously entered guilty pleas, including Remus A. Kirkpatrick, 65, of Oceanside, who pleaded guilty to one count of falsely making writings of lending associations and was sentenced to six years in prison. Michael Romano, 75, of Benicia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to three years in prison. Laura Pezzi, of Roseville, pleaded guilty to falsely making writings of lending associations and was sentenced to time served.
In related cases, Tisha Trites and Todd Smith, both of San Diego, pleaded guilty to related charges. Trites is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14, 2022, and Smith was sentenced to two years in prison.
Two other co-defendants, George B. Larsen, 60, of San Rafael, and Larry Todt, 70, of Malibu, were convicted of conspiracy and bank fraud following a jury trial in December 2017. Larsen was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Todt was sentenced to 7 years and three months in prison.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: James Christopher Castle
Criminal Charges: 35 counts of bank fraud
City and State: Petaluma, California
Date: August 2, 2021 (sentencing)
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Amount: None
Related Federal Cases
- Marc Christopher Harmon, Investment Fraud Scheme, California 2024 · Puerto Rico
- Sean Christopher Sladek, Investment Fraud Scheme, Nevada 2024 · California
- Lee Loomis, Investment Scheme Fraud, California 2023 · Texas
- Edward Martin Rostohar, Bank Fraud, California 2024 · Wyoming
- Christopher Glynn, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2019 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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