Cash4Keys Executives Charged in Alleged Scheme That Stripped Dementia‑Stricken Man of $300,000 Home
Prosecutors say two Cash4Keys executives used forged documents and a kidnapping to seize a Florida senior’s house.
Alleged “Operation Dirty Deed” Targets Vulnerable Homeowner
Authorities say a Florida man’s home, valued at roughly $300,000, was taken in a scheme investigators have labeled “Operation Dirty Deed.” The victim, identified in court documents as Thomas P. Hegarty, is 71 and suffers from severe dementia.
How the Property Was Allegedly Transferred
Prosecutors allege that Brandon Lee Miguel and Jordy Luis Perez, executives of the real‑estate investment firm Cash4Keys, secured Hegarty’s signature on a power‑of‑attorney form and a warranty deed. Those documents were then used to move ownership of the Mayo Street house to Cash4Keys for a price of $191,000, far below market value.
Kidnapping and Removal from the Home
According to the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, Monica Elizabeth Castelli, a 56‑year‑old real‑estate agent with United Realty Group, allegedly kidnapped Hegarty. Castelli is said to have driven him from his longtime Hollywood residence to a “dilapidated rooming house” in Miami Gardens, where he was left crying and distressed. She later took him to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
Removal of Belongings and Vehicles
After Hegarty was taken from the house, Miguel and Perez allegedly entered the home and removed personal items, including three vehicles, according to the property appraiser’s office.
Charges Filed
Miguel and Perez each face six counts: organized scheme to defraud $50,000 or more, grand theft exceeding $100,000, unlawful filing of false documents affecting real property, mortgage fraud, exploitation of an elderly person, and money laundering.
Castelli is charged with kidnapping with intent to facilitate a felony and exploitation of an elderly person.
Derek Enrique, 43, who notarized the documents, faces one count of false or fraudulent acknowledgments.
Family’s Response and Current Situation
Hegarty’s sister‑in‑law, Peggy Hegarty, said the senior believed he was signing paperwork to refinance, not to sell, his home. After learning of the alleged theft, she traveled from Georgia to Florida, finding Hegarty “depressed, in shock, and not eating.” He now resides in an assisted‑living facility in Jacksonville.
Ongoing Investigation
Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar stated there is no evidence Hegarty received any money from the transaction and that the suspects exploited his cognitive impairment. Kiar added that Cash4Keys still controls the property, while Hegarty’s family has retained counsel to attempt to recover the house. Investigators believe the alleged scheme may involve additional victims.
The case underscores the vulnerability of seniors with dementia to real‑estate fraud and the seriousness with which law‑enforcement is pursuing the alleged conspirators.
