Squatter Lance White-Hunt faces trespassing charges in Jamaica, Queens home accepts plea deal and avoids jail time

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – This is a squatting case unlike any other prosecutors have ever seen.

Lance White-Hunt, 24, was accused of breaking into a home in Jamaica, Queens. He then sued the homeowner for unlawful eviction and forged a rental agreement and utility bills to claim he had a right to be there.

White-Hunt faced 18 charges and the possibility of a 15-year prison sentence. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said he accepted a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to identity theft and offering a false instrument of submission and tampering with physical evidence.

He will return to Queens County Criminal Court in November and is expected to be sentenced to five years probation and 20 days of community service. He must also pay $3,900 toward the victim's legal fees.

It's a case that Eyewitness News has been tracking and that began back in March of this year.

Real estate agent Ejona Bardhi visited a home in Jamaica, Queens that she wanted to show to potential renters.

However, when she checked the property, the locks had been changed and Lance White-Hunt was inside.

“And the first thing he says is, ‘Can I help you? I’m a tenant here, I’ve been a tenant here since January,'” Bardhi said. “And I said 'No you didn't, I was just here to do a demonstration.'”

She called the police and when they showed up, White-Hunt left. But then he did something prosecutors had never seen before. White-Hunt filed a civil lawsuit against the homeowner and real estate agent, claiming he was illegally evicted.

Additionally, prosecutors allege he created a fake rental agreement and forged utility bills.

That's when Queens District Attorney Katz stepped in and filed charges against him.

“This is very bold and at the same time just wrong,” said Katz.

“You can’t go into a house that doesn’t belong to you and claim you have a right to stay and then incidentally sue the person who owns it,” Katz said. “I want to send a very clear message: This is not happening and it should not be happening in the city of New York.”

Eyewitness News reached out to White-Hunt's attorney, but he did not respond.

———-
NEED AN EXAMINATION OF A STORY? Eyewitness News' Dan Krauth, Kristin Thorne and the 7 On Your Side Investigates team want to hear from you! Call our confidential tip line 1-877-TIP-NEWS (847-6397) or fill out the form BELOW.

You can also contact us Dan Krauth direct:

Email your questions, problems or story ideas to [email protected]

Facebook: DanKrauthReports

Twitter: @DanKrauthABC7

Instagram: @DanKrauth