Victor Rodriguez has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges related to a home title fraud scheme, just moments before his trial was set to begin. He will serve 15 years in prison for defrauding three Hillsborough County homeowners alongside his wife and co-defendant, Michelle Cherry.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to organized fraud (over $50,000), conspiracy to commit organized fraud (over $50,000), fraudulent use of personal information (over $100,000 or 30 or more victims), and unlawfully filing a false document.
The couple orchestrated a scheme involving forged quit claim deeds, which were filed at the Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office in 2024. These deeds fraudulently transferred the titles of the victims’ homes into companies owned by Cherry.
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Rodriguez and Cherry then attempted to extract equity from the properties by trying to sell them to unsuspecting buyers or by obtaining loans against them. In one instance, they even changed the utilities and Cherry’s driver’s license address to match one of the stolen properties, attempting to solidify their fraudulent claim of ownership.
One homeowner, who was renovating their property, caught the couple on surveillance video collecting mail and having food delivered to their home after the fraudulent deed was filed. When confronted by police, Rodriguez and Cherry maintained they were the rightful owners. A thorough investigation uncovered the extent of their scheme, revealing two additional victims.
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“Victor Rodriguez committed property fraud and tried to steal the American Dream from unsuspecting victims. This lengthy prison sentence should send a strong message to property pirates: if you attempt to swindle homeowners in Hillsborough County, you will be held accountable,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Cherry has also accepted a plea deal from the state, agreeing to testify against her husband had he gone to trial. She faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced at a later date.
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