POLSON – A Lake County jury has convicted a transient of stealing a house in foreclosure by removing “for sale” signs, changing the locks and filing strange paperwork with the county claiming he purchased the house from Yahweh.
Jurors deliberated for less than an hour Tuesday morning before returning their verdict against Brent Arthur Wilson.
Wilson was charged after Polson real estate agent Ed McCurdy investigated the removal of “for sale” signs from a $380,000 house he was selling on behalf of a lender.
Further investigation found Wilson tried to use the house as collateral for a $125,000 loan he sought from a Missoula financial institution.
Wilson was convicted of theft, deceptive practices and tampering with public records or information. He faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 19.