She Confronted the Squatter, but What Happened Next Landed Her in Jail!

A homeowner in Clayton County, Georgia, found herself behind bars after attempting to reclaim her house from an alleged squatter, sparking outrage and legal turmoil.

Loletha Hale, a resident just south of Atlanta, voiced her frustration with local authorities after being told the woman occupying her home, Sakemeyia Johnson, wasn’t considered a squatter under Georgia law.

A Home Invaded

Hale’s ordeal began in August when she discovered Johnson living in her house without permission. Police were called to the scene, and Johnson was cited under the newly enacted Georgia Squatter Reform Act. However, Clayton County Magistrate Judge Latrevia Lates-Johnson ruled Johnson wasn’t a squatter because she had ties to the partner of a previously evicted tenant.

“How can she not be squatting when I’ve never had any type of contract relationship with this person?” Hale questioned in an interview with WSBTV.

The Law vs. Justice

The legal battle escalated when Johnson filed for bankruptcy in a move that listed Hale as her only creditor, adding further delays to the case. After months of hearings and appeals, Hale finally won a judgment in her favor on November 18.

Believing her nightmare was over, Hale visited her property to begin cleaning and preparing it for her return. However, her relief was short-lived.

A Shocking Encounter

On a December morning, Hale returned to find that the locks on her house had been broken again, and Johnson was back inside. Bodycam footage from responding officers captured one of them suggesting Hale see the situation from Johnson’s perspective:

“Just think of it from this perspective, though,” the officer said. “Everybody isn’t as fortunate as you to have a bed. All the little things, a bed in their house, food in the kitchen.”

The situation escalated when Hale confronted Johnson, leading to accusations that Hale had forcibly removed Johnson’s belongings and threatened her with a gun.

Arrest and Aftermath

Hale was charged with criminal trespassing and a misdemeanor count of terroristic threats, while Johnson faced no charges. The incident left Hale and her supporters questioning the fairness of the legal system.

Expert Guidance for Property Owners

Real estate attorney Paul Golden weighed in on the matter, offering advice for homeowners dealing with squatters:

• Contact Police: Call law enforcement and hope they can remove the occupant.
• Self-Help Eviction: A risky option where the property owner physically removes the squatter. Golden warns this could result in civil penalties or even criminal charges if deemed unlawful.
• Legal Proceedings: File a summary proceeding and issue a 10-day notice to the occupants. This method can take months to resolve, especially in cities like New York.

Waiting for Resolution

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Department has not provided an official comment on the case. Chief Magistrate Judge Keisha Wright Hill explained that delays in resolving such disputes often stem from appeals and procedural backlogs.

Hale’s case highlights the challenges homeowners face when legal protections for squatters intersect with their right to reclaim their property. As her ordeal continues, many are left asking: how can the system better balance the rights of property owners and those in precarious living situations?