A US Army Ranger who was taken advantage of by heartless squatters, who drives a luxury Mercedes, says he has spent “over $50,000” of his hard-earned cash in the past year dealing with the illegal occupants.
Lt. Mikiya Barber, 26, bought her dream home in Houston, Texas, in May 2022, but was soon called to active duty, according to ABC 13.
He put the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house up for rent after receiving word that he would be stationed in Florida to earn extra income while away.
Barber said it all “went downhill” after he chose Natasha Timmons to be his tenant.
“It’s been emotionally draining to the point where I’ve had therapy,” he told the outlet.
Barber has been forced to take time off from serving the country to fight this legal battle in Texas
“One has cost me more than $50,000,” he revealed, saying he “wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
Dream Lt. Mikiya Barber finally became a reality to own a house in Houston, Texas, in May 2022.KTRK
Barber, a US reservist, was called to active duty shortly after the purchase and put the house up for rent.KTRK
Timmons agreed to sign a $2,000 monthly lease after the young lieutenant ran a background check and saw nothing out of the ordinary that would raise any red flags.
Rudely, the squatter only made the first two months’ payments and became uncooperative when Barber offered to work out a “payment plan,” so he could catch up on missed rent.
“I’m trying to make a payment plan for him. Then, he started threatening me to file for bankruptcy and keep me going through this process,” Barber shared.
Natasha Timmons was selected by Barber to be his tenant after a background check.KTRK
Timmons, who stopped making payments after the first two months, tried to fight the trooper in bankruptcy court despite driving a luxury vehicle.KTRK
Now up against the alleged fraudster in court, records obtained by the outlet show that Timmons — who was convicted of theft in 2003 — recently filed four similar bankruptcy cases.
Neighbors shared videos of Timmons and others in the house driving luxury cars and even carelessly washing them despite claiming he was bankrupt.
However, a judge in Harris County on Monday ordered the squatter to begin repaying the rent he owes Barber after Timmons disclosed in court that he has no active bankruptcy case.
A judge ruled last Monday that Timmons must pay Barber what is owed.KTRK
Barber says he just wants Timmons out of his house so he can finish this load.KTRK
Timmons is expected back in court next Monday where he could face deportation, the outlet said.
“He lives in the house and said he’s not leaving my house, but I’m excited for (Monday’s hearing), and he’ll be out soon,” Barber said.
With nine years under his belt serving the country, the young Army lieutenant said nothing had prepared him for the uphill legal battle to evict squatters from his home.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t want to let go of my house. I have also tried to make a deal with him,” Barber told the outlet.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
