Serviceman Stationed in Texas Calls Sheriff to Report Someone Living in His Vacant Winder Home

A serviceman stationed in Texas called the Barrow County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 20 after learning his Winder home, which had been vacant since 2009, was currently occupied.

The serviceman said he received a call from a neighbor advising that someone was living in the house. A deputy went to the residence and found evidence someone had moved into the home.


"The residence had a sign in the yard stating private residence. I observed fresh landscape timbers and bedding material in the flower beds located in the front yard," the deputy noted in the report. "Looking through the small tinted windows on either side of the front door, I observed furniture in the living room area of the home."

The deputy then called the serviceman back to confirm that someone was indeed living in the house. The serviceman explained the home was in foreclosure, but, due to a bank policy which prohibits foreclosing on an active duty service member, the bank had not completed the foreclosure process. The serviceman asked the incident be documented.

As the deputy was completing paperwork, a female arrived at the residence. The deputy introduced himself and explained he was there because of a report that someone was living in the residence illegally.

"I asked [the woman] how long she had been living at the residence and if she was buying the home or renting," the deputy wrote in the report. "[The woman] looked around for a moment, said 'um' a few times and then stated she was renting to own the home."

After searching through her bedroom and her vehicle, the woman was eventually able to produce a lease agreement that bore the signature of the serviceman. The woman explained all her dealings had been with another man, who she identified as working with an investment company. In the lease agreement, the woman had agreed to pay $975 a month to rent the home.

The deputy called the serviceman again and asked if he had signed any rental agreement with the woman. The serviceman said he had not and had been in Texas the day the agreement was signed. The serviceman then asked to speak with the woman and told her she had 45 days to vacate the premises or he would press charges.

The woman reportedly began "crying heavily" and thanked the serviceman repeatedly. 

Due to the fact the serviceman did not wish to press charges, the woman was advised she could continue staying at the home rent free for the next 45 days.

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