Media Release: May 9, 2013

Shela Amos sentenced to 34 years in vacant home sale scheme

Conviction stems from illegitimate sale of Indianapolis homes by sovereign citizen
(Indianapolis, Ind.) Shela Amos was sentenced today to 34 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for a scheme in which she led victims to believe that they were legitimately purchasing vacant homes that Amos did not own or have the legal authority to sell. In total, victims paid Amos more than $24,000 for six homes, only to learn that they lost their financial and emotional investment in the homes. Prosecutors argued that Amos had a criminal history in dishonest acts and that she would victimize others in the future if not given a lengthy sentence. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry stated in April that a total of 37 victims of this scheme were identified through the investigation of Amos and her Foundation, six of whom were the basis of charges presented at trial. Shela Amos was a scam artist who preyed upon nave members of our community, cloaking her activities under the phony authority of being an alleged sovereign citizen, Prosecutor Curry stated. There is no doubt that she and her colleagues would still be victimizing vulnerable individuals but for this prosecution. Many of the victims were of Hispanic descent, including two victims who testified at todays sentencing hearing. The victims told the court that their families were affected not only by the loss their savings, but also suffered from job loss and fear after they were evicted from what they believed to be their homes. Amos was convicted by a jury in April for two counts of Corrupt Business Influence (Class C Felony), two counts of Burglary (Class C Felony), six counts of Forgery (Class C Felony), and six counts of Theft (Class D Felony). Beverly Cannedy, also charged in the case, pleaded guilty to Corrupt Business Influence (Class C Felony), Forgery (Class C Felony) and Theft (Class D Felony). The sentencing hearing in Cannedys case is scheduled for June 7 at 9:00 a.m. A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. -30NOTE: Charging information and affidavit of probable cause is available at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/137992716/SheilaAmosChargingInformationProbableCauseAffidavit