A federal prisoner and members of his family were indicted on charges they profited from filing false deeds for residential properties in Philadelphia, according to an federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Inmate Kenneth Hampton was indicted along with his son, Terrell Hampton, brother Ellis Hampton and Roxanne Mason, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to federal prosecutors, “using the prison telephones, Hampton would direct other members of the scheme to locate houses, prepare and file false deeds, reside in the properties, and then eventually sell the properties for a profit.”
The actions cost the city and state taxes they were owed and defrauded the real property owners as well, according to prosecutors.
If convicted, the defendants could face mandatory minimum sentences of two years in prison with a maximum term of 8.5 years.