June 29, 2016
Two Chester men pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a multi-year conspiracy that involved filing false deeds on Delaware County homes and false tax forms against judges, law enforcement and other government employees in an effort to intimidate them, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.
Steven Hameed, 57, and Darnell Young, 48, both of Chester, pleaded guilty to all charges spelled out in an indictment detailing their alleged crimes.
The defendants admitted filing false deeds with the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Office in order to claim ownership of properties owned by governments and banks. They would then either live in the homes or rent and sell them to unsuspecting victims for their own financial gain.
The indictment also alleges that the duo filed hundreds of false tax forms against police officers, judges and other government employees to intimidate them in the course of their duties.
Hameed and Young both face substantial periods of incarceration, a five-year period of supervised release, restitution, and fines.
The case was investigated by multiple regional and federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and the Philadelphia Police Department.
