Squatter Gets 6 Months in Jail After Living in Vacant Home
A woman who broke into a vacant house, changed the locks and made herself at home for about two months was sentenced Friday to six months in jail and 10 days on a Caltrans work crew, according to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.
After a weeklong trial in Van Nuys Municipal Court, jurors found Candyce Lee Brown, 45, guilty on one count each of trespassing and vandalism for squatting at a home in the 4700 block of Cahuenga Boulevard in Toluca Lake.
The homeowner, who was in escrow to sell the property, discovered Brown shortly after she moved into the house in August. On Oct. 12, the owner reported Brown to police, who arrested her when she failed to produce rent receipts or a lease, according to the city attorney’s office.
City Atty. James Hahn said in a statement that subsequent investigation revealed that Brown had made a habit of taking up residence in other people’s homes without permission. Before moving into the Toluca Lake home, he said, she lived in vacant houses in Studio City and Van Nuys. In one case, she refused to leave until she was evicted, at which point she moved into the Toluca Lake house and transferred the utilities there.
Judge John P. Doyle also sentenced Brown to two years’ probation and scheduled a March 8 hearing to determine restitution to the property owner.
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