Squatter Who Tried to Steal 20 Houses Convicted on New Charges

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A Prince George’s County squatter already facing 69 years in prison for trying to steal 20 homes, has been convicted in another trial of stealing a home that she did not legally own.

Qiana Johnson was found guilty this week of theft greater than $100,000 and conspiracy to commit theft for using forged documents to steal an Upper Marlboro home, reports WTOP.

The family of the deceased homeowner turned the property over to the bank, but Johnson used a forged deed to sell the house for $238,000. The buyer then put most of the money into an escrow account, which allowed Johnson and Shamika Staggs to withdraw thousands of dollars from the account.

WTOP reports Staggs has pleaded guilty to forgery and theft charges in the case.

In February, Johnson was convicted of entering a falsified deed to show she and an accomplice bought a Cheltenham house for $150,000. In 2013, Johnson moved her family into the vacant house. When the owners, who had moved out of state, tried to sell it, neighbors told them Johnson had moved in, authorities said.

“When all of this was discovered, rather than move out, Ms. Johnson decided to file a civil suit against the rightful owners for trying to have her evicted,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks told WTOP.

Johnson is set to be sentenced in June for the Upper Marlboro theft, as well as for the earlier charges of stealing the Cheltenham home. She faces 69 years in prison for the previous crime.