Squatter Back Hours After Jail–Stuns Neighbors!

Squatters brazenly reclaim a foreclosed $2.3 million Maryland mansion just hours after jail release, exposing how weak state laws let criminals erode property rights and terrorize affluent communities.

Story Highlights

Tamieka Goode, convicted squatter, walked free on February 2, 2026, posted $5K bond, and immediately returned to the occupied Bethesda luxury home.
Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies finally cleared the property mid-February 2026, sealing it with metal panels after nine months of legal delays.
Co-squatter Corey Pollard boasts extensive criminal record including vehicle theft, heroin, and federal charges, arrested on-site in December 2025.
Neighbors document forced entry, pet waste, and safety threats, slamming police inaction and calling for felony squatting laws.
Legal loopholes in Maryland favor occupants over owners like Citigroup Mortgage, chilling real estate sales and sparking reform pushes in Annapolis.

Squatter Takeover in Elite Bethesda Neighborhood

Tamieka Goode and Corey Pollard occupied a vacant 7,500-square-foot mansion on Burning Tree Road in Bethesda around July 4, 2025. The $2.3 million property, owned by Citigroup Mortgage after foreclosure, sat empty after a sale fell through. Neighbors spotted a moving truck and new occupants, filing complaints over forced entry. Police responded minimally, knocking without further action. This incident underscores Maryland’s squatting surge targeting foreclosed homes.

Criminal Charges and Prolonged Legal Battle

Authorities charged Goode and Pollard with trespassing and fourth-degree burglary in July 2025. Pollard faced arrest on December 8, 2025, in the driveway, revealing his history of vehicle theft, heroin distribution, and federal stolen goods charges with extradition pending to Pennsylvania. Goode, styling herself a “pro-se litigation coach,” missed court dates and promoted “rental packages” on TikTok. Her attorney, Alex J. Webster III, cited “squatter’s rights” and title research to defend residency claims.

Montgomery County courts dragged the case for nine months. Goode secured a $5K bond after conviction on 90-day sentence, released February 2, 2026. She returned immediately, ignoring “no trespassing” signs, with neighbors noting pet waste and a dog inside. Sheriff deputies cleared the home nearly a week before February 18, 2026, securing it with metal panels amid resident fears of violence.

Neighbors’ Frustrations and Enforcement Gaps

Affluent Bethesda residents, including James and Chen, documented the occupation via videos and pushed trespass charges. They expressed outrage over initial police inaction, stating officers did “nothing” beyond basic response. Tensions escalated as squatters leveraged civil court delays against Citigroup’s unlawful detainer filing. Neighbors hid identities fearing retaliation, highlighting eroded community trust and property value risks in this tight-knit elite area.

Goode appeals her conviction, exploiting what her attorney called legal “loopholes people take advantage of.” Property managers confirm forged documents prolong evictions. Statewide patterns show squatters demanding “cash for keys” and using social media for scams, even targeting taxpayer-funded homes. Critics label it “grand theft housing,” renewing debates on safety over squatter claims.

Impacts and Push for Law Reforms

The standoff ties up a $2.3 million asset, imposing holding costs on Citigroup and deterring foreclosures statewide. Bethesda families face violence risks and morale decline, while real estate chills amid vulnerability fears. Politically, a 19-year-old pushes felony squatting legislation in Annapolis. These events expose how Maryland’s slow unlawful detainer processes favor criminals, undermining property rights central to American prosperity and security.

Under President Trump’s America First leadership, border security triumphs contrast sharply with blue-state failures like Maryland’s. Strong federal deportations protect citizens, but local overreach and soft-on-crime policies enable squatters to flout law. Conservatives demand swift reforms to safeguard homes, echoing frustrations with past lax enforcement that rewarded illegality over hardworking owners.