Six Fresno suspects are accused of cheating people out of millions, in an elaborate housing scheme.
According to the state attorney general, they stole 23 homes in nine counties up and down California, including five in Fresno.
You have to jump through a lot of hoops to claim a home as your own under the "adverse possession" law. But with the help of two attorneys who knew the rules, investigators say the group had been successful from 2006 until now.
Five homes in Fresno County are among 23 statewide that investigators say were taken by these suspects. It was part of an elaborate housing scheme where the suspects allegedly claimed the homes then rented or sold them.
Jose Magana says his parents bought their home less than a year ago, and they had no idea that according to investigators, the home had essentially been stolen by Sandra Barton years earlier.
"We never knew that," Magana said. "It's kind of a big brain shocker for us."
Records show the Magana's bought the home for $87,000, and it became profit for the suspects.
Meanwhile, the suspects reportedly took rent money from tenants in other homes.
The suspects were only caught when the true owner of a home in Santa Barbara County found out Sandra Barton was listed as the deed holder.
Two local attorneys, Sheldon Feigel and Craig Mortensen, are believed to have helped the other four suspects.
Legal analyst Carl Faller says "adverse possession" law allows someone to claim a home if they live in it for five years and pay the property taxes.
"If the allegations are true, then they filed false statements with the court, made false statements in filings with the recorders, and also possibly defrauded people that they sold to in the process," Faller said.
State Bar records show Feigel has a practice in Sanger; Mortensen in Fresno. Neither had any previously documented disciplinary action. Faller says if convicted, they will likely be disbarred.
"Of course they also could end up sitting in prison, which I'm sure would be the biggest detriment from their point of view," Faller said.
Together the suspects face restitution payments of at least $3.5 million. Two suspects could face about 100 years in prison.
"Kinda cruel to not let nobody know and taking their money like that," Magana said. "But there are those cold, heartless people."
Police are still looking for 21-year-old Cambria Barton.
Four of the five suspects arrested are still in Fresno County Jail.