Mortgage Fraud Crack Down
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office crack down on mortgage fraud has resulted in convictions of 50 people for $125 million in fraudulent loans. The fraud affected 500 residential properties, primarily in North Minneapolis.
“These crimes have brought damage to the neighborhoods, in excess of $125 million,” County Attorney Mike Freeman said at a recent news conference. “We’ve been able to obtain a large degree of justice.” Sentences range from 198 to 21 months, with those convicted of racketeering receiving the longest sentences.
Victims of mortgage fraud and identity theft spoke at a recent press conference summarizing the initiative. John Foster and his wife Melony Michaels, of Plymouth described how their lives were destroyed. Beth Soll, another victim, praised the work done on her case: “The prosecutors and investigators there did a great job…While I have not yet been able to get my money back, I at least have the satisfaction of knowing that justice was done and this man will not be able to prey on others.”
“Much of the work we are doing is over,” Freeman said, explaining that most of the crimes are now outside the five-year statute of limitations. “If new ones come in, we will prosecute them. But the newest scams are financial scams against our seniors.” The office is now stepping up its prosecution of crimes against the elderly.
Horrible Care of Elderly Now a Felony
A long quest by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, other prosecutors and advocates for the elderly finally ended on April 18th when Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law a bill that enhances protections for vulnerable adults.
Now county attorneys will be able to bring felony charges against anyone who neglects a vulnerable adult in his or her care and it results in substantial or great bodily harm to the vulnerable adult.
Congratulations to everyone who worked together to pass this bill. Special thanks to Sen. Warren Limmer, a Maple Grove Republican, and Rep. Steve Gottwalt, a St. Cloud Republican who were the chief authors and Iris Freeman of the Center for Elder Justice and Policy at William Mitchell College of Law who has worked on this issue for 17 years. From our office, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy has pushed for the law for several years and Assistant Hennepin County Attorney David Brown worked long hours guiding the legislation to final passage.
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Raising Awareness of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse
In April, we recognize crime awareness months that bring attention to sexual assault and child abuse. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office deals with these issues far too often. Our colleagues around Minnesota and across the country are fighting these crimes every day. Join us in national efforts to raise awareness and try to prevent these kinds of crimes in the future.
We all know the case of William Jacobs, who used his positions as a private school teacher and then as a police officer and police chief to gain trust over the boys and to convince them to stay quiet. That finally ended when a boy came forward at age 15 and revealed the abuse he had suffered since he was 12.
When a victim has the strength to come forward and report the incident, it’s much easier for prosecutors to bring charges and obtain a conviction. Ultimately, that makes our community safer, because a dangerous offender is not free to harm others.
By talking about these issues, we hope to make it easier to report crimes, prosecute offenders and seek justice for victims.
How Report Crime
This is the first step in criminal justice process. By reporting crimes, you are helping law enforcement and prosecutors do their jobs and keep communities safe.
Obtaining Justice
Former Park Police Chief William Jacobs Sentenced
William Jacobs pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal sexual conduct and three counts of possession of child pornography just as opening statements were to begin. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 10 years probation after that.
Both the victim, now 17, and his father spoke at the sentencing, telling of the damage Jacobs had done and demanding a long sentence.
Afterwards, County Attorney Freeman praised the courage of the victim who was brave enough to come forward and see the case through to the end. He added that "The nightmare for this victim, and dozens of others, is over."
Timothy Bakdash Receives 40 Years in Prison
A jury convicted Timothy Bakdash in the hit-and-run death of Benjamin Van Handel, a University of Minnesota senior. They found him guilty on nine counts – second degree murder, felony murder, criminal vehicular homicide and two counts each of attempted second degree murder, second degree assault and criminal vehicular operation – for driving his car into Van Handel and two young women.
Bakdash was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The victim’s family read impact statements urging the judge to issue a “strict” sentence. Judge Mabley responded, sentencing Bakdash to 25 years and five months for Van Handel's death. He also received two concurrent sentences of 14 years and 5 months for injuring Sarah Anne Bagley and Katelynn Marie Hanson, which will be served after his other sentence. The total sentence exceeds what prosecution had hoped for in this case.
Long sentence for Robbing Elderly Man
Hussein, 39, of Minneapolis was convicted of aiding and abetting aggravated robbery in March. The jury also determined that there were aggravating circumstances including the victim’s reduced physical and mental capacity and the fact that Hussein committed the crime with three other people.
The victim, Ray Brown, who lives in Alabama, was not in the courtroom, but his son Kevin Brown gave a victim impact statement. Seward neighborhood residents and Court Watch participants also wrote community impact statements seeking a long prison term.
In addition, Kevin Brown read the impact statement of Jennie Akerstrom Zumbusch, the victim’s granddaughter. She told about how her “Grandpa B” was a big influence on her life after her father was tragically killed in the terrorist bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland when she was five years old.
As a result, Judge Lyonel Norris went beyond the recommended sentencing guidelines term of 98 months.
Scammer Preyed on Undocumented Immigrants
Martinez-Alanis had pleaded guilty to one count of theft by swindle. He advertised his services to the immigrant community, claiming that he could help them get jobs, work authorization documents and fix their immigration status. While he occasionally found jobs for people, mostly he just took their money and did nothing. If they complained, he threatened to go to the immigration service and report them as illegally in the country.
“The grief and anxiety these people went through,” Assistant County Attorney Paul Scoggins said. “They are undocumented. That makes them easy prey for a person like this. He not only fleeced them, but then he talked to ICE about a reward for turning in these same people.”
Chronic Burglars off the Streets
Several troublesome property criminals have been convicted recently and many are serving prison sentences, including five very prolific South Minneapolis burglars. The impact statements submitted by Court Watch participants helped prosecutors successfully argue for appropriate sentences that fit the crimes and the offenders’ history.
Stewart Eugene Pesheck, 43, of Minneapolis and Charles Hall, 48, of Minneapolis pleaded guilty in several different burglaries from last year. Sentencing will be June 7th and June 4th, respectively.
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