Woman Indicted on 51 Fraud Counts Over False Property Ownership Claims

A 59-year-old woman from Decatur, Georgia, faces 51 fraud indictments after falsely claiming ownership of multiple properties in Virginia. Indicted by a Northampton grand jury on May 10, she has been charged with maliciously filing liens or encumbrances on properties such as Indiantown Park, a PNC Bank parcel, and the historic Eyre Hall farm. Additional charges include conspiracy and solicitation to file fraudulent claims.

The woman, who identifies as a descendant of the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s Gingaskin Indian Tribe, previously attempted to assert these ownership claims in federal court but was unsuccessful. She was arrested on May 17 while visiting Virginia and later released on a $10,000 secured bond. The case was initiated by Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton following an investigation by Special Agent Aaron Warren of the state police.

The properties involved are significant and historic, including Eyreville brick house, Smith Beach parcels, and the Bay Creek development in Cape Charles. Despite her claims of holding a land patent, Federal Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes dismissed her case, stating that she did not adequately prove her title to the properties.