Dallas Texas deed fraud defendant flees hearing

During a three-hour hearing, prosecutors called witnesses who described a scheme involving homes with a combined value of more than $1 million. 

Devon Lewis testified that he was the owner of a home on Elm Falls in Mesquite. In 2015, someone filed a deed at the courthouse that purported to transfer ownership from Lewis’ company to the Pierces. Lewis testified that his signature was forged on the deed. 

Ernest Mays, owner of Live Happy Investments, testified that a few months later, he bought the home on Elm Falls from the Pierces. Mays testified he met the Pierces and her mother at the house, and he agreed to buy the home for $70,000. After a contractor looked at the property and found it needed more repairs, he agreed to pay $60,000. 

Title company records show that at the closing with Mays, the Pierces presented their driver’s licenses, as well as their marriage certificate. Mays later re-sold the home, unaware of the property’s ownership troubles. 

Lewis, the original owner, testified that he is now looking for help from a lawyer to get his house back.