TAMPA, Fla. – John Alberto Stolard, 48, of Wesley Chapel, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving fraudulent quit claim deeds.
U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven handed down the sentence and ordered Stolard to forfeit $747,388.30. Stolard had previously pleaded guilty to the charge on October 3, 2024.
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According to court documents, Stolard orchestrated a scheme targeting five properties owned by an individual he knew through a prior working relationship. He and a co-conspirator fraudulently obtained quit-claim deeds by forging the victim’s signature. These bogus deeds were then filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
Leveraging these fraudulent documents, Stolard applied for and secured $827,000 in mortgage loans online, using the victim’s properties as collateral. Stolard fraudulently obtained mortgages on five properties he did not actually own.
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“Through our investigation, we uncovered how selfish greed nearly caused devastating financial losses for an innocent victim. Mr. Stolard epitomized the betrayal of trust, abusing his position to steal over $800,000 in property while fraudulently posing as the rightful owner,’ said U.S. Secret Service, Tampa Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel. “Thanks to the men and women of our Tampa Field Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, and our partners at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and dedicated work. We are pleased that justice was served.”
The investigation into this case was a joint effort by the United States Secret Service and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie served as the prosecutor.
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