ST. LOUIS – A massive real estate heist in St. Louis County has landed one man in hot water. James L. Townes Jr., 50, of Berkeley, appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday accused of conspiring to steal or attempt to steal 16 homes and a duplex using phony deeds. The 25-count indictment includes charges like mail fraud, access device fraud, and identity theft.
Townes was charged with the first batch of allegations on June 10, 2025, and indicted by a grand jury on June 25th. An August 6 superseding indictment added more counts, bringing the total to 25. In another case, Townes is accused of falsely claiming disability while running multiple businesses and managing investment accounts.
The investigation reveals that Townes and Charnay Bartlett, 29, used a series of fraudulent deeds to transfer ownership of 16 homes and a duplex between September 2018 and April 2025. They stole identities, forged signatures, and even continued the scheme after Townes’ notary license was suspended.
Bartlett faces her own set of charges, including conspiracy and four counts of identity theft. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and local police departments all played a role in this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is leading the prosecution against Townes. Charges are merely accusations, and Townes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to for financial gain, casting a shadow over the real estate market in St. Louis County.
RELATED: Drug Kingpin Dies in Custody: A Life of Crime and Cardiac Arrest
RELATED: Predator Got 20: MO Man Sexually Abused Teen
Related Federal Cases
- Texas Con Man Accused of $1M MRI Fraud · Kansas
- Kinloch Fire Chiefs Darren and Jayna Small Accused of Stealing Public Funds · Missouri
- Medicaid Scam: St. Louis Woman Pleads Guilty · Maryland
- East St. Louis Man Gets 135 Months for Kidnapping Aiding · Illinois
- St. Louis Man Gets 57 Months in Meth Ring · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News