WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- He's the suspected ring leader in what authorities call one of the biggest mortgage fraud cases in Palm Beach County history.
Carl Heflin faced a judge on a day when another one of his alleged victims came forward.
"Court is now in session. The honorable judge Ted Boors presiding," said a bailiff.
Heflin, a former West Palm Beach cop, is now on the wrong side of the law.
In court this morning, he faced 30 counts of fraud, burglary and grand theft.
Sheriff's detectives arrested Heflin yesterday, saying he submitted fake warranty deed forms.
Heflin reportedly claimed he owned 20 homes in the Westgate and Belvedere areas of West Palm Beach.
Julio Elvir learned from us that Heflin claimed to own and live in a house on 2328 Beech Road.
Elvir and the bank are the actual owners.
"Oh! I'm surprised because I never expected something like this," said Elvir. "I thought the bank had already taken possession of the property. But, last July, I went there and noticed two men living there."
Two weeks ago, we caught the suspected scammers, Heflin's associates, on camera, trying to rent a home they did not own.
It's located on Wabasso and Oswego.
"I'm the landlord," said one of the men who did not give his name.
"We're the property managers," said a female associate. "
"Why are you asking me questions?" ask the man.
"Because I'm a reporter," said NewsChannel 5's Jesse Chavez. "That's what I do for a living."
One of the associates is George Chambers.
He claimed to be renting Elvir's house from Heflin since last July.
You can hear dogs barking inside, even though it's supposed to be empty.
"It's the first time this has happened to me," said Elvir. "I'm happy to hear that he has been captured. What he was doing was wrong."
A neighbor says a woman, possibly Heflin's wife, still lives in the home... at least for the time being.
