Deed Theft In Rockland County: What Are The Consequences?

Deed theft is a type of white-collar crime in Rockland County, and it can lead to serious consequences. This type of theft does not involve the direct, physical seizure of property. Instead, it relies on forgery and fraud to gain ownership of real estate. Because of the high value of real estate in Rockland County, theft of this nature can lead to higher penalties compared to the “petty theft” of low-value items. If you face allegations of deed theft, contact an experienced defense attorney.

The Home Equity Theft Protection Act (HETPA) 

In September of 2025, Attorney General Letitia James announced the first-ever conviction under the Home Equity Protection Act (HETPA). This law protects homeowners in New York who are going through foreclosure. The conviction stems from an incident in 2021 involving a former Rockland County real estate agent who forged the signature of a homeowner and stole her property without her knowledge. This is a clear example of deed theft.

Once the homeowner discovered the false deed, she reported it to the Office of the Attorney General. She has also sued the former real estate agent. As a result, the defendant will have to pay restitution to the victim. He will also likely pay damages in a subsequent civil case. Finally, he has obviously lost his license to work as a real estate agent, which is another notable consequence of deed theft in New York.

Under HETPA, deed theft in the first degree is a Class B Felony with a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. A lesser charge of deed theft in the second degree is also possible, which can lead to a Class C felony.

New York has taken a tough stance against deed theft for various reasons. First, the crime often went completely unpunished in previous years due to insufficient laws against it. Secondly, deed theft has become more common in recent years. Criminals who commit this offense often target elderly individuals, immigrants, and other vulnerable people. For these reasons, the government has introduced tough penalties under HETPA.

How Can I Defend Myself Against Deed Theft? 

You can defend yourself against these allegations with various strategies. First, you can argue that you lacked the intent to steal the property. Perhaps you simply intended to safeguard the property. Maybe you made a mistake when filling out the paperwork. Whatever the case may be, intent is an important element when it comes to deed theft.

Can a Rockland County Defense Attorney Help Me? 

If you face allegations of deed theft, consider working with an experienced New City criminal defense attorney. Although deed theft might not involve the direct physical seizure of a home, it still represents hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) in illegally appropriated assets. As such, the penalties for this offense can be quite high. Contact Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law to get started on a defense strategy today.

Sources: 

lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2025/09/25/former-rockland-ny-real-estate-agent-oscar-dais-pleads-guilty-to-deed-theft/86330073007/?gca-cat=p&gnt-cfr=1

lohud.com/story/news/crime/2025/11/06/chantal-chenault-former-westchester-ny-employee-sentenced-for-700k-theft-from-client/87108456007/