FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com
TAMPA, FL (September 7, 2023) — A Tampa man who stole the identities of four homeowners in an attempt to sell their homes will spend 10 years in prison for his crimes. James Fahlman pleaded guilty today to three counts of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information with a Value Over $100,000, and one count of Fraudulent use of Personal Identification of a Deceased Person with a Value Over $100,000.
In each case, Fahlman filed forged deeds after he stole the identities of each homeowner. The crimes came to light after one of the victims’ children alerted law enforcement to the scheme. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department, and St. Petersburg Police Department conducted investigations into four separate properties.
This case was successfully prosecuted by our office’s Economic Crimes Unit, which handles the most serious crimes involving financial fraud. These experienced attorneys are responsible for prosecuting a variety of cases including real estate and investor fraud, tax violations, identity theft, and more.
“This prison sentence sends a strong message to the community that our office takes economic crimes very seriously. This defendant took advantage of the elderly and tried to steal their homes at a time when they should be enjoying their golden years. Thank you to our dedicated law enforcement partners for the meticulous investigation that allowed our office to prosecute this fraudster. We will not tolerate anyone preying on the elderly in Tampa Bay,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
- Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
- Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO
About the State Attorney’s Office
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.