Four people face charges following a months-long investigation by Hollywood police and the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, which dubbed the case “Operation Dirty Deed.” Authorities allege Jordy Perez and Brandon Miguel transferred Thomas Hegarty’s home to their company. The men said they bought the property for $191,000, but Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar said investigators found no evidence Hegarty received money from the sale.

Realtor Monica Castelli is accused of kidnapping and exploiting an elderly person, while notary Derek Enrique is charged with falsifying a document. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Hegarty’s sister-in-law, Peggy Hegarty, said she learned something was wrong after an agent at the rooming house contacted her. She said her brother-in-law believed he was signing papers to refinance his home, not sell it. He had owned the Hollywood property for 25 years.

When Peggy Hegarty traveled from Georgia to South Florida, she found him depressed, shocked and not eating, she said. He now lives in an assisted living facility in Jacksonville. Hollywood police Detective Theo Defreze said Hegarty had signed away power of attorney and lost his home, possessions and three cars.

The Hollywood house is now being rented. The current tenants said they face unexpected moving and relocation costs.

Investigators believe there may be other victims and properties connected to the case. Kiar urged South Florida residents to keep an eye on older relatives’ finances and said property owners can sign up for the free Owner Alert program, which sends notifications when a deed transaction occurs. Peggy Hegarty called for stronger state protections for seniors during property sales.