United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentencing of Macangelo Tillman, a 52-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tillman received a six-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay over $150,000 in restitution. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain titles to properties in Philadelphia.
Tillman faced charges following an indictment in December 2023 with five counts of wire fraud related to the fraudulent scheme. He entered a guilty plea to these charges earlier this year.
Court documents revealed that Tillman orchestrated the preparation of deeds that falsely transferred property ownership either to himself or his associates. These deeds were then recorded with the City of Philadelphia under his direction.
The fraudulent activities involved obtaining notary stamps on deeds through false statements or using fake notary stamps. Tillman paid one notary public $50 for illegitimate notarization without the grantors’ presence or identification verification. A second notary provided similar services as a favor. Counterfeit deeds presented as legitimate bore forged signatures and were notarized using fraudulent stamps.
The scheme affected the City of Philadelphia and 11 homeowners or their heirs by depriving them of revenue from sheriff’s sales and outstanding taxes related to properties owned by deceased individuals or financially distressed owners. Any excess funds from proposed sheriff’s sales would have gone to homeowners or their heirs.
Tillman’s actions were driven by financial gain for himself and his associates, leading some stolen homes to be rented out while others were sold without buyers knowing they were fraudulently acquired.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.
