Alleged squatter takes over Queens home, forges lease: DA
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — An alleged squatter is accused of forging lease documents and illegally living in a home in Jamaica, the Queens County District Attorney announced on Monday.
Lance White-Hunt, 24, was arraigned on an 18-count indictment. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
The ordeal began in February 2024, when the homeowner listed the residence for rent through a broker at Top Nest Properties, according to court documents. Prosecutors said the broker visited the residence multiple times and had a key for the front two doors.
On March 1, the broker noticed the locks on the front door were changed, and her key no longer worked, prosecutors said. A few days later, the broker saw White-Hunt inside the residence, officials said.
When the broker notified the police, White-Hunt allegedly said he had been staying there since January and provided a lease that listed the broker and Top Nest Properties as the landlords, officials said. The broker said her signature was forged, and she had never seen the document before.
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The next day, White-Hunt provided police with documents from National Grid and AT&T, officials said. Both companies later confirmed the account numbers on the documents do not exist in their records, officials said.
White-Hunt filed a lawsuit for an illegal lockout on March 14 and provided a different forged lease than what was provided to the police on March 4, prosecutors said. The lawsuit was dismissed.
White-Hunt was arrested on Monday. He is due back in court on June 11.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.
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