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.
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.