Squatter will get 40 years for illegally taking on Panama Metropolis Seashore rental in Florida

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — A squatter who illegally took over a rental in Florida has been sentenced to 40 years in jail.

Olandis Hobbs, 37 was sentenced on Tuesday after being discovered responsible earlier this month of utilizing false paperwork to take possession of an roughly $700,000 rental within the Panama Metropolis Seashore space, in keeping with the State Lawyer’s Workplace of the 14th Judicial Circuit.

“I hope this sends a robust message,” State Lawyer Larry Basford stated in a launch. “Don’t come to Northwest Florida and attempt to steal individuals’s identifications and/or property by squatting as a result of we is not going to tolerate this.”

Hobbs’ sentence contains 25 years for fraudulent use of non-public identification info and 15 years for grand theft over $100,000. He additionally faces 30 years of probation.

Throughout his trial, proof confirmed that Hobbs filed fraudulent paperwork in late 2022 with the Bay County Clerk of Circuit Court docket to switch possession of a the rental to himself. The property is legally owned by an 85-year-old girl and her youngsters.

Hobbs has dedicated related acts in different places, like New York, and he was sued however by no means arrested.

“This is likely to be your first vital conviction, however it’s a doozy,” Choose Dustin Stephenson stated, in keeping with the discharge. “You stole relaxation from the sundown of somebody’s life and must be punished for it.”

Earlier protection of this case: Squatter, 37, found guilty of illegally taking ownership of $700,000 PCB condo

Previous studies be aware that after fraudulently taking on the rental, Hobbs modified its locks and notified rental administration officers that there had been a change in possession. The authorized house owners, who reside out of state, had been notified of the modifications by a maid.

The Panama Metropolis Seashore Police Division served a search warrant and arrested Hobbs on Jan. 13, 2023.

“The minimal sentence required by legislation was 10 years,” the state legal professional’s information launch reads. “Stephenson stated there are issues of forgiveness and issues of justice, and forgiveness isn’t (his to present, however) justice is.”

This text initially appeared on The Information Herald: Squatter sentenced to prison for taking over Panama City Beach condo