A Georgia homeowner has been arrested after attempting to reclaim her house, which was occupied by a squatter.
Loletha Hale visited her late mother’s home on December 9 to start cleaning up the property after a prolonged legal dispute with squatter Sakemeyia Johnson.
A court had ordered Johnson to leave the house in mid-November, but when Hale arrived in early December, Johnson was still living there.
Speaking to WSB-TV, Hale explained: “I came back to start painting, but she had broken the locks on my property.”
Hale said Johnson showed up unexpectedly with another person. “I locked the screen door, but he forced his way in and told us to leave,” she said.
Police were called to the scene after Hale refused to leave. Bodycam footage showed an officer speaking with Hale and trying to understand Johnson’s perspective.
“Think about it this way,” the officer told Hale. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have a bed or food in their home.”
The situation escalated quickly. Hale was arrested after allegedly shouting, “Leave before I get my gun,” according to the arrest report.
Authorities also said Hale “executed an illegal eviction and removed Johnson’s belongings” without proper legal documentation.
Hale shared her frustration: “I spent the night on a mat in terrible conditions while the squatter stayed in my home.”
Police confirmed Hale didn’t have a signed writ of possession, which legally allows a homeowner to remove a squatter.
Johnson told police: “I was told I was a squatter, but the judge ruled I’m not.”
Hale questioned this: “How can she not be a squatter when we’ve never had any agreement?”
No charges have been filed against Johnson. Hale’s battle to regain control of her home continues.
This incident highlights the legal challenges homeowners can face when dealing with squatters, even when the court has ruled in their favor.
