Man Accused of Living In $1.5 Million Home He Didn't Own

Arrest warrants have been issued for a Marietta man accused of living in a foreclosed Sandy Springs home he did not own.

Police have charged Kevin J. Smalls, 32, with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and felony criminal damage to property in the second degree, said Sandy Springs police spokesperson Sgt. Ron Momon.

A listing agent for the house at 535 Forest Hills Drive on March 9 met with an officer at the home, which is vacant and owned by Bank of America. The house is currently for sale and being managed by Better Homes and Gardens Reality.

According to an incident report released by the Sandy Springs Police Department, the agent said she made a visit to the home and discovered its for sale sign had been removed from the front yard and ”the lock boxes for realtors to gain access to the home were gone.”

The agent also said the home’s locks had been changed and she was not able to go inside the house.

Additionally, the agency said she was able to look through the window and see ”items that had been moved into the home by an unknown person.”

Water had also been turned on for property, the report indicates.

With the help of a locksmith, the agent and officer were able to venture inside the house. Upon making entry, the condition of the house made it apparent that “someone had entered the home and was living there,” according to the officer’s summary in the report.

“The refrigerator had been stocked and cooking pans along with dirty dishes were located in the sink,” the report states. “Clothes, shoes and bedding were located in two bedrooms inside the location.”

Documents found inside the home referenced “Estate Planning of Kevin J. Smalls and Anita M. Smalls.”

The officer also was able to run a check on Smalls, which revealed he was allegedly involved in similar incident ”where he claimed residency at another property he did not own,” the report states.

According to its Zillow listing, the 8,000-square-foot home on Forest Hills Drive is worth $1.49 million, has 3 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.

When reached by phone, Smalls told WSB-TV that he is the “trustee” of the family trust and the owner allegedly transferred to him the deed of the house.

Photo credit: Zillow