Four people face charges after a months-long investigation into an alleged scheme to take a 72-year-old Hollywood man’s home, cars and personal belongings. Investigators with the Hollywood Police Department and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office called the case “Operation Dirty Deed.”
Police said the victim, Thomas Hegarty, has severe dementia and had owned his home for 25 years. Authorities allege that Jordy Perez and Brandon Miguel transferred the deed to their company. The suspects said they bought the property for $191,000, but Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar said there is no evidence Hegarty received any money.
Realtor Monica Castelli is accused of kidnapping and elderly exploitation. Notary Derek Enrique is charged with falsifying a document.
The case came to light when an agent from the Miami Gardens rooming house where Hegarty was staying contacted his sister-in-law, Peggy Hegarty, who lives in Georgia. She said her brother-in-law believed he was signing refinancing papers, not a sale. Hegarty now lives in an assisted living facility in Jacksonville. The Hollywood home is being rented, and the current tenants say they face unexpected moving costs.
Investigators believe there may be more victims and properties involved.
Kiar urged South Florida families with older relatives to watch their finances and sign up for Owner Alert, a free program that notifies property owners when a deed transaction is recorded. Peggy Hegarty asked state lawmakers to tighten rules on property sales to better protect seniors.
