We caught up with Tabitha Gentry, the woman squatting in a multi-million dollar Memphis home as she opened then closed a large gate leading to the property.
She told our Adam Hammond to get off her property even though legally, the home belongs to Renaissance Bank since being foreclosed upon.
She told us she chose the house because it is beautiful and said she is staying there with her family.
She told us she will stay in the house indefinitely and will not talk about it because it’s a legal matter.
When we asked her what she will do if police try to remove her from the Shady Grove mansion, she said she will, “take care of them.” She did not elaborate on what that meant.
Gentry claims to be a member of the Moorish Nation and not subject to United States law.
(Memphis) Renaissance Bank owns this property at 600 Shady Grove Drive in East Memphis.
The bank foreclosed on it a couple of years ago, and has been empty ever since, until now.
A sovereign citizen and her family are living in the house; claiming ownership to by indigenous inherent right.
Dr. John Pender lives across the street and the situation worries him.
“This is America. This is not anything goes. We have to draw the line somewhere,” said Pender.
The Shelby County District Attorney`s office says the bank can now choose one of two options.
The police can execute a search warrant and forcibly remove the squatters or the Shelby County Sheriff`s office can evict them, but deputies would still need to find a way to get them out.
The bank must work with the DA`s office to decide if it wants to go after the squatters criminally or civilly.
“I think they should respect the property and respect the right thing they should be doing,” said Yalin Chang.
Chang lives in the neighborhood and doesn`t understand why the squatters, who claim to be of the Moorish Republic, believe the law don’t apply to them.
“This is the US. People feel like they have the freedom to do a lot of things, but obviously they still have to follow the law,” said Chang.
The bank and real estate agency who listed the property for a time have no comment, and it’s still unclear when, or even if officers will forcibly remove them.
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