LI Residents Stole $1 Million Homes In NYC Deed Theft Ring: AG

BAY SHORE, NY — Two Long Island residents were charged Thursday after prosecutors said they stole three Queens homes worth a total of more than $1 million and impersonated homeowners in a deed theft ring.

Marcus Wilcher, 47, of Bay Shore, and Stacie Saunders, 51, of Central Islip, face the following charges:

• One count of fourth-degree conspiracy
• Two counts of second-degree money laundering
• One count of second-degree grand larceny
• One count of second-degree forgery
• One count of first-degree scheme to defraud
• First-degree offering a false instrument for filing

Wilcher, who remains at large, also faces charges of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and second-degree criminal impersonation, prosecutors said.

Saunders, Anyekache Hercules, 47, of New Rochelle, Jerry Currin, 66, of the Bronx, were arraigned yesterday before Supreme Court Judge Evelyn Braun in Queens County.

Dean Lloyd, 61, of Yeadon Pennsylvania, was also charged and remains at large.

In September 2019, Wilcher located homes in Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens in poor or run-down condition with absentee owners, state Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday. Saunders then marketed the homes to investors at prices significantly below market rate for quick sales, prosecutors said.

After an investor expressed interest in buying a home, Wilcher would secure personal information about the real owners, including social security numbers and birthdates, to create falsified drivers’ licenses, social security cards, and bank cards.

Wilcher and Saunders then found people to impersonate the true owners of the properties at contract signings and closings.

Prosecutors said that the victims were often vulnerable and elderly homeowners.

Hercules forged legal documents used in the theft of the homes, prosecutors alleged. As she was disbarred and could not practice law in New York, Hercules fraudulently used a practicing attorney’s email and name on legal correspondence, authorities said.

Lloyd or one of three other people who have yet to be apprehended would appear at the closings with forged deeds and contracts, prosecutors said.

Currin appeared at the closing on his family home with someone who pretended to be his sister, the executor of the family estate. That person has not been apprehended, authorities said.

He also submitted a false affidavit in support of a second estate sale for a different stolen property, written as a long-time family friend, prosecutors said.

After the sales were finalized, the co-conspirators opened bank accounts in the names of the homes’ real owners using the impostor sellers’ forged drivers’ licenses and social security cards, prosecutors said.

They then used these bank accounts and other entities and LLCs they controlled to funnel more than $1 million in proceeds to themselves, authorities said.

The stolen Queens properties are located at 161-14 121 Avenue; 112-39 176 Street; and 168-11 119 Avenue.

“No one should face the nightmare of having their home stolen from them without any warning, knowledge, or reason,” said Attorney General James. “Deed theft is a merciless crime that targets seniors, and often people of color, who are asset rich but cash poor, and reliant on their homes as a stabilizing force for their families and loved ones. My office will continue our work to combat deed theft until we can ensure no other New Yorker is forced to endure this heartbreaking, life-altering loss.”

While three members of been arraigned, five co-conspirators remain at large: Wilcher, Lloyd, and three individuals that have yet to be identified.