Three sentenced in Oklahoma home-takeover scheme

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Federal prosecutors say three Oklahoma City residents have pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme in which they used fake documents and fictitious lawyers to take ownership of more than a dozen houses without the knowledge of the homeowners.

U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing says Laura Johnson, Thomas Johnson Sr. and Cheryl Ashley are accused of using fraudulent documents from 2014 until 2019 to obtain titles to homes and other properties.

Last week, each of the defendants pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

When sentenced in about 90 days, Thomas Johnson and Ashley each face up to five years in prison while Laura Johnson faces up to 30 years.