2 Admit To Filing False Deeds On Numerous Delaware County Homes

Two men have admitted to a multi-year conspiracy in which they filed false deeds on numerous Delaware County homes.

Steven Hameed, 57, and Darnell Young, 48, both of Chester, pleaded guilty this week to all charges against them in connection with the conspiracy. In addition to filing false deeds, the pair filed hundreds of false tax forms against judges, law enforcement, and other government employees to try to intimidate and harass them, United States Attorney Zane David Memeger said.

According to the indictment, the defendants filed false land deeds with the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Office in an attempt to claim ownership of homes owned by the government or by banks. They then lived in the homes or tried to rent or sell them, authorities say.

Hameed and Young also pleaded guilty to creating a false financial bond, which they mailed to a realtor in an attempt to purchase a property, Memeger said.

The two men face substantial jail time, five-year periods of supervised release, restitution and fines. Sentencing will be held in September.