Preparedness
Homeowner Jailed After Confronting Alleged Squatter in Her Home
A Georgia homeowner found herself in an unexpected legal predicament after confronting an alleged squatter in her property. Loletha Hale, who owns a house in Livingston, Georgia, had been dealing with a squatter situation since August, according to her account to WSB-TV. Despite her attempts to resolve the issue, it was Hale who ended up in jail.
Hale’s troubles began when she discovered Sakemeyia Johnson residing in her home with a former tenant. The tenant had previously been evicted, and Johnson initially received a citation for squatting. However, a court later ruled that “Sakemeyia Johnson is not a squatter,” despite Hale’s insistence that Johnson was never a tenant.
On December 9, Hale entered her house to prepare it for a new renter and encountered Johnson once more. Hale claimed that Johnson had “broken the locks” to gain access. She stated, “She just caught up out of nowhere. She had this guy with her, and I locked the door. I locked the screen door, and he forced himself in telling us to get out.”
Despite Hale’s efforts to have Johnson charged with trespassing, it was Hale who was arrested. Police body cam footage captured an officer explaining to Hale that not everyone is as fortunate as she is, saying, “Everybody isn’t as fortunate as you to have a bed.”
Johnson, on the other hand, maintained, “I was written a citation saying I was a squatter. But a judge signed an order saying that I wasn’t a squatter.” The police arrested Hale on charges of executing an illegal eviction and making terroristic threats, as she was heard saying, “leave before I get my gun.”
Hale expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating, “To see that woman walk into my mom’s house while I was in the police car, something is wrong with this picture. Something is inherently wrong with this picture.” She also questioned, “How can she not be squatting when I’ve never had any type of contract relationship with this person.”
Reflecting on her arrest, Hale described the experience as humiliating, saying, “I spent the night on a mat on a concrete floor in deplorable conditions. While this woman, this squatter slept in my home.” She is uncertain when she will be able to return to her property, as she awaits a hearing for Johnson’s appeal, despite Johnson not meeting the statutory requirements for one.
Hale remains in a state of limbo, unsure of when she will regain access to her home, and continues to seek legal resolution to the situation.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
William Powell
January 15, 2025 at 12:09 pm
The judge needs to be recalled and removed
EDWARD SOMERS
January 15, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I have heartburn when the law is interpreted in such a way as to allow a burglar to sue for medical treatment (remember that school roof skylight?) or a person can squat and assume more rights than the legitimate owner. I await the ruling from SCOTUS that a person (temporarily) forfeits their civil rights during the commission of a crime.
Don
January 16, 2025 at 3:06 pm
Adults have the right to throw the trash out when found and any city or state has the right to do anything to any homeowner that throws them out one way or another. Those doing so need to be the ones arrested and imprisoned for being so stupid.
Rick
January 15, 2025 at 12:30 pm
This is becoming a much larger issue and the courts being full of leftists siding with illegals and criminals and attacking legal homeowners must be stopped immediately when the legal owners are recognized without fail!!
Rush
January 15, 2025 at 2:11 pm
She had a perfect right to confront and remove the squatter with or without physical force, she has the right to protect herself and home using a weapon if necessary , the police needed to support the home owner 100%. America needs to stop all the BS of the liberal socialist democrats dangerous nonsense they have spread across the country for the past several years. It’s time to speak up loudly, strongly and powerfully to defend the citizens and the integrity of America.
Jtamad
January 15, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Criminals has more rights than law abiding citizens. Our country is in path to destructions.
Blue Moon
January 15, 2025 at 3:41 pm
The ATL police did NOT do their job. The homeowner Ms Hale, should not have been arrested, and the Officer
should have arrested the squatter for breaking the door lock and entering inside the home.
Did the Officer know the squatter or something?
Since when does a squatter have more rights than a homeowner who pays the taxes?
Hope this is resolved and the squatter legally gets what’s coming to her.
Jim
January 15, 2025 at 4:33 pm
She should have. The right to get the burglar out of her house. What king of bs is this.She should have the right to count to three to get the son out if her don’t leave she shoul have the right to use what ever force is needed to get the burglar out of her house including deadly force.
uncle albert
January 15, 2025 at 8:25 pm
The squatter is lucky it isn’t me in this situation…….
As soon as the cops left, there would be another “unsolvable death of a transient” for the paperwork empire to deal with.
Remember, a revolver doesn’t leave brass behind for evidence !
Redwolf
January 15, 2025 at 11:11 pm
I hope it never happens to me but if I ever catch a squatter in my home I’ll ask him/her to leave as politely as I possibly can. If they don’t leave or if they leave and then come back later I’ll kill them graveyard dead and leave them for the ants and buzzards. No questions asked, no mercy shown and no pity or pardon given.
jefz
January 16, 2025 at 12:14 pm
In far left liberal states/communities crime pays.
msgleo
January 16, 2025 at 1:11 pm
This is so dumb, the owner of the property should be able to say who lives and who doesn’t live in their own house. These liberals are so illogical when it comes to ownership. If someone squats they should be removed and ordered to pay rent for the time they were illegally in a house they did not own or rent.
M. Snow
January 16, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Agreed
Paul
January 17, 2025 at 4:01 am
they break into a house to rob it. The owner should of had the right to defend their property.
CPO Bill
January 17, 2025 at 2:45 pm
If i get one Mr. Remington 12 ga will escort it out to the street!