LEVY COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) busted a woman for scamming someone out of $3,000 in rent payments.
Story
LCSO says they initially launched a fraud investigation on September 9, 2024. The investigation was prompted by a woman who told LCSO deputies she was the victim of a rental scam. The victim told deputies that she had been searching for a rental home and located a listing on Facebook Marketplace.
The victim says she contacted 46-year-old Carrie Ann Hendricks through Facebook Messenger and secured a rental agreement.
LCSO says the victim began pre-paying rent in May to move into the home in August. The victim said she visited the home and found it occupied. She says she left a note telling the occupant she was moving in and changing the locks within the next two weeks.
The victim says she received a call from the occupant of the home, who informed her they were the homeowner and that she was being scammed.
Deputies with LCSO obtained the rental payment information from the victim. It verified that Hendricks received approximately $3,000 in advance rent payments.
They further verified that Hendricks had no affiliation to the home and the homeowner never listed the house for rent.
Conclusion
LCSO says Hendricks’ scheme “unraveled” on Tuesday when detectives arranged the “final” payment.
They say the victim met Hendricks in the parking lot of a Walmart in Trenton. The victim reportedly gave Hendricks the last $750 payment.
LCSO deputies were waiting nearby and arrested Hendricks as she was walking toward the front entrance of the Walmart.
In addition, deputies arrested Robert Tanner, the driver of the car that transported Hendricks to the meeting. Deputies say Tanner operated the vehicle without a valid license.
Charges
Carrie Ann Hendricks was taken into custody and charged with:
- Use of a two-way communication device to commit fraud
- Scheme to defraud
She is currently held on a $70,000 bond at the Levy County Detention Center.
Robert Tanner, the driver of the car, was taken into custody for driving with a suspended license. He is currently held on a $10,000 bond at the Levy County Detention Center.