Memphis Notary sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison for real estate fraud
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — A Memphis-area Notary Public was recently sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $280,000 in restitution after fraudulently transferring more than 30 properties, federal prosecutors said. The defendant, identified in court records only as “Seymore,” was sentenced in February after being convicted on several charges related to a wide-ranging real estate fraud scheme.
Prosecutors said Seymore lied on her Notary commission application by concealing a 2019 felony theft conviction involving forgery and fraudulent loan applications. Because there is no parole in the federal prison system, Seymore will serve the full term.
The case is among the most severe federal sentences imposed in a Notary-enabled real estate fraud case in recent years and is being cited by prosecutors as a benchmark for how the U.S. Department of Justice intends to treat such crimes.
Nebraska Notary fined nearly $4,000, avoids jail after conviction on 24 counts
GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska — A former Nebraska Notary Public convicted of improperly certifying medical marijuana petition signatures was fined nearly $4,000 but will not serve jail time.
Hall County Judge Alfred Corey sentenced Jacy Todd, 55, of York, to $3,866.44 in fines across 23 counts of official misconduct, making a false statement under oath, and court costs. Todd could have faced up to six months in jail per count.
A jury convicted Todd in February after prosecutors presented evidence that a petition circulator had not been physically present when Todd notarized his signatures — a step required by Nebraska law. On two of the notarized dates, cell phone records and travel documents showed the petition circulator was out of state.
In sentencing Todd, Corey said he was emphasizing the importance of the notary’s role in civic life. “The government would be flooded if we didn't have Notaries,” the judge said.
Two Kentucky Notaries arrested after selling fake vehicle tags on Facebook Marketplace
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Two Notaries Public were arrested in Jefferson County after investigators linked them to the sale of 71 fraudulent Kentucky temporary vehicle tags on Facebook Marketplace, authorities said.
Joann Smith, 30, and DeAngelo Thomas, 33, were taken into custody following an investigation by the Louisville Metro Police. Each faces 71 counts of complicity to steal, produce or illegally acquire temporary tags, according to WDRB News.
Investigators said the pair advertised the counterfeit tags in a Facebook group called “Bag Lady.” The underground network also reportedly sold fake vehicle titles, fraudulent insurance documents and forged court excuse notes.
Former Louisiana sheriff’s deputy charged with forgery
LIVINGSTON PARISH, Louisiana — A former Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office deputy has been charged with five counts of forgery after detectives found that names had been forged on notarized mortgage-related documents, authorities said.
Courtney Moran, 46, was charged after allegedly forging signatures on documents related to deferred payments and loan modifications, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses confirmed they had not authorized the use of their identities.
Investigators did not disclose whether Moran was acting as a commissioned Notary Public at the time of the alleged offenses or how the forgeries were discovered.
Wyoming Man faces felony charge after fake Notary seal found on vehicle Bill of Sale
CHEYENNE, Wyoming — A Laramie County man is facing a felony forgery charge after sheriff's deputies discovered a fraudulent Notary seal affixed to a vehicle bill of sale during a routine traffic stop.
Deputies found the document displayed in the rear window of a 1997 Honda during the stop, according to published reports. Kael Hartley, born in 2007, was subsequently charged with felony forgery.
Authorities did not disclose whether Hartley had ever held a Notary commission or identify the source of the counterfeit seal. The case illustrates what law enforcement officials and the National Notary Association say is a persistent pattern of Notary identity fraud involving fake Notary seals.
Phillip Browne is Vice President of Communications at the National Notary Association.