A Florida man has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a massive identity theft and real estate scam that left dozens of homeowners reeling.
Jose Manuel Santiago, 43, of Sarasota, was sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
According to court documents, Santiago began his scheme in February 2020, targeting unoccupied homes in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and other states. He stole the identities of the homeowners and sold their homes to unsuspecting buyers, often using fake identities and forged signatures.
Santiago’s co-conspirators, including Rosson Dwayne Hamilton and Vernon Lavoie, helped him to facilitate the scheme. Hamilton, 40, was sentenced to one day in prison after pleading guilty in February. Lavoie, 59, was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty in July 2021.
The scheme, which spanned multiple states, resulted in the theft of at least 10 identities and the sale of at least 10 properties. Santiago and his co-conspirators obtained $581,808 and attempted to obtain an additional $768,175.
Santiago pleaded guilty to the charges in February and was sentenced to three years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell L. Carlberg and Christopher Hood.
The scheme highlights the growing threat of identity theft and real estate scams in the United States. Homeowners are advised to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from such scams.
Defendant: Jose Manuel Santiago
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud
City and State: Alexandria, Virginia
Exact Date: February 2020 (start of scheme)
Sentence or Outcome: Three years in prison
Dollar Amounts: $581,808 (obtained), $768,175 (attempted)
Related Federal Cases
- Jose Manuel Santiago, Home Fraud, Virginia 2024 · Virginia
- Jose Manuel Santiago, Home Sale Fraud, Florida 2024 · Virginia
- Amber Rewis Bruey, Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Florida 2020 · North Carolina
- Treyton Lee Thomas, Wire Fraud, Virginia 2024 · Virginia
- Yanique Chantel Coach, Mail Fraud Conspiracy, Florida 2024 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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