Suenahmie Meoshie Bradford has been convicted, following a jury trial in Lee County, in a case involving her filing false deeds to steal the property rights from homeowners.
The defendant was found guilty of:
Count I: Trespass – in a Structure
Count II: Trespass – in a Structure
Count III: Theft – with a special finding for the value of $750 or more but less than $20,000
Count IV: Theft – with a special finding for the value of $100 or more but less than $750
Assistant State Attorney James Miller, State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit Chief, prosecuted the case.
The case first started in August 2023, when the Fort Myers Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen about a woman walking around the property next door, that the caller did not recognize as her neighbor. Officers came to the scene and met the defendant, who identified herself as Suenahmie Bradford, who claimed the home had been abandoned and now belonged to her. She then showed officers a Quit Claims Deed showing her as the alleged owner. The home had not been abandoned, had freshly cut grass, a clean pool and was under repair from hurricane damage. The deed she presented was never accepted by the Lee County Clerk of Courts and police removed her from the property.
The Fort Myers Police Department began an investigation and determined the defendant had filed false deeds with the Lee County Clerk of Court, in an effort to steal property. On another property the defendant had hired a locksmith and drilled into a door, witnessed by the homeowner on video, while the homeowner was in their northern home. That deed was also not accepted.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2025.
Although the deeds were not accepted by the Lee County Clerk of Court in this case, if they had been there could have been drastic and expensive consequences for the homeowner. State Attorney Amira Fox reminds all property owners in the 20th Judicial Circuit that the State of Florida’s Court Clerks and Comptrollers have a free statewide monitoring program. Property owners can sign up to receive notice of any deeds or mortgages that are filed against their property. This service is available on their website at www.flclerks.com under “Property Alert Services.”
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director