Hunter
10/04/21
An Iowa City man has been charged with forgery after drawing up a lease with the victim on property he allegedly doesn’t own.
According to police, 52-year-old Jeffrey Chapman of South Gilbert Street entered into an agreement with the Community Crisis Center and Food Bank to provide housing for one of their clients on September 13th. He drafted a lease and sent it to Community, who in turn provided Chapman with a $900 security deposit check.
Chapman reportedly cashed the check on September 19th.
Then on September 28th, Chapman reportedly told the tenant that the property had been sold and they couldn’t live there anymore, when in fact Chapman had sold and had been evicted from the property on back on August 10th. Therefore, he had neither the right, authority or ability to rent the property.
A complaint was filed this past Thursday, and Judge Deborah Minot issued a warrant for Chapman’s arrest. He was arrested Sunday and charged with Forgery and 3rd degree Theft. If convicted on both counts, Chapman could be sentenced to up to 4 years in prison.
Chapman’s initial appearance was waived Monday morning; additional court dates have yet to be set.