A Georgia woman, Loletha Hale, was arrested on December 9 and charged with criminal trespassing and making terroristic threats after attempting to reclaim her late mother’s home in Livingston from an alleged squatter.
Despite a court-ordered eviction in mid-November, the squatter, Sakemeyia Johnson, remained in the house and reportedly brought someone to intimidate Hale when she arrived to clean and begin renovations.
Bodycam footage from the incident captured police officers advising Hale to “empathise” with Johnson’s situation, citing her lack of resources. Hale, who denied any contractual relationship with Johnson, was arrested after refusing to back down. Meanwhile, Johnson, who had never been Hale’s tenant, faced no charges.
Hale had been battling to evict Johnson since August when she discovered her living in the home without her knowledge.
Despite obtaining a court ruling in her favour, Johnson ignored the eviction and continued to occupy the property.
Hale later expressed outrage at her arrest, particularly as Johnson resumed occupying the house while she was taken into custody.
“To see that woman walk into my mom’s house while I was in the police car, something is inherently wrong,” Hale said.
Squatting cases like hers have surged in Georgia in recent years, with 198 cases reported statewide in 2023, up from just three in 2017.
Probably european laws. Exactly the same occurs in France. Squatter are protected by law.
You are not supposed to delodge them yourself ( which is a criminal act), but need a legal procedure ( long and costly) before the police can act for your protection . Further more they are protected from november untill march ( winter) when no one can be delodge