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CRIME

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House thieves: Couple convicted of fraudulent house deals

12:20 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

By Jeff McShan / 11 News


A jury is deliberating how long Curtis and Donna Holcomb will have to stay in jail for basically stealing people's homes.

Curtis and Donna Holcomb have spent more than a week in a criminal court facing their accusers and apparently, there are many.

What they are accused of may shock you even more. They are charged with stealing people’s homes.

We mean the entire structure. Prosecutors allege the couple ripped off 30 to 40 people.

Barbara Heins says she's one of them.

She signed a $30,000 contract to buy a old Heights home from the Holcombs and to have it moved to San Leon.

But she says the Holcombs, who own a house moving business, deceived her from the start.

“I didn't realize that they didn't even own the house at the time,” said Heins.

Instead, the Holcomb's bought the home only after the contract was signed and told Heins it was loaded up and ready to move. But?

“I went to check and the house wasn't even loaded and I called to find out about it and I never heard another word from them. Nothing,” said Heins. “They took $22,000 from me and I never heard another word.”

The Holcombs finally agreed to move the house and supposedly got it ready for the trip. 

But, some of it, including the garage ended up on property owned by the Holcombs. That's right.

Prosecutors say they stole a house.

The couple was charged with felony theft were found guilty.

The trial is now in the sentencing phase.

“It would be nice if they got a year or two for every one of their victims because they deserve it,” said Heins.

The DA’s office told 11 News the couple stole more than a $100,000 from customers and other contractors like Consolidated Crane.

That's where Julie Garrison works.

When  she heard the Holcomb's were found guilty, she was ecstatic.

So was Hines.

“I knew there is a God up there and there is justice,” said Hines.

Justice for dozens of victims, who'll probably never get their money back.

Inside KHOU.com

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