MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) — A Belleview woman has been sentenced to five years for Unlawful Filing of False Documents or Records Against Real or Personal Property.

49-year-old Amy Linn Ramirez faced a guilty verdict at the hands of the jury at the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.

Her sentence stems from an incident on October 26, 2024, when a real estate agent contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to report a suspicious incident.

A deputy arrived at a residence off 123rd Lane in Belleview. The real estate agent told the deputy that she had arrived to conduct a final walk-through, sign paperwork, and close the deal to sell the residence to the unsuspecting victim.

The agent told MCSO that a handyman greeted her upon arrival. According to the agent, the handyman had changed the locks on the home and refused to give her the key to the house. He told the agent that he was hired by the homeowner, Amy Ramirez, who told him to change the locks.

The real estate agent investigated the situation and found a fraudulent document filed by Ramirez regarding the property.

A falsified warranty deed was submitted while the property was under contract with the current homeowner.

Authorities contacted Ramirez, who confirmed that she never lived at or owned the victim’s property. She claimed that she was learning about abandoned property laws.

Ramirez reportedly filed for a “Quiet Title” to assert her ownership. She stated that it was a civil matter.

MCSO subsequently arrested Ramirez and charged her with one count of Unlawful Filing of False Documents or Records Against Real or Personal Property.

On May 16, Ramirez appeared before a jury at the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, which found her guilty.

Ramirez will spend the next five years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

“Property deed fraud is a serious crime that can lead to devastating financial consequences for homeowners. Criminals can sell a property or take out a loan against it by forging documents, leaving the real homeowner in financial distress,” says Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “Cases involving property fraud are often complex and time-consuming for homeowners trying to clear their title and reclaim ownership.”

More news that matters to you…