LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — Olivia Hollon, 44, was arrested following an investigation by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office into a fraudulent real estate scheme. Authorities allege Hollon used forged documents and false identities to attempt theft of multiple homes and funds within the county.
Hollon reportedly submitted filings with fictitious personal and financial information to unlawfully obtain real estate deeds. The 44-year-old woman, who resides in Rogersville, faces charges including first-degree attempted theft, second-degree forgery, two counts of third-degree forgery, and nine counts of identity theft. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
This is not Hollon’s first brush with the law. Court records show she has faced over 20 counts each of property theft and forgery-related charges in the past.
Craig Paulus, a real estate lawyer and president of Foundation Title and Escrow, shared his past experience with Hollon. He recalls a 2019 incident where Hollon and her husband, both using aliases, attempted to buy a house with all cash. However, numerous excuses delayed payment, including a false claim of Hollon going into labor. Paulus said their office refused to hand over the keys without payment, suspecting fraud.
Paulus reported Hollon’s previous real estate fraud in Texas to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and was surprised to find she was again involved in similar schemes six years later.
He warns of the dangers of such scams, especially those carried out by perpetrators overseas, who can forge deeds and release mortgages without homeowners’ knowledge, resulting in unsuspecting sales of their properties.
To protect property owners, Paulus recommends enhanced title insurance and keeping property records current with the tax assessor’s office to monitor any suspicious changes.
Hollon is currently held in the Limestone County jail awaiting a bond hearing.
Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin praised his team’s thorough investigation that uncovered the scheme before more harm could occur. “The advantage of financial crimes is that perpetrators often leave a paper trail,” McLaughlin said. “Thanks to diligent work, this scheme was identified and stopped.”
