Tennessee duo accused of forging deeds to steal homes

Two Tennessee residents are accused of orchestrating a property fraud scheme involving forged signatures and fake deeds to steal homes in Memphis for as little as $10.

Stuart Breakstone and Rebecca Tuttle allegedly forged signatures of homeowners, buyers, and at least one notary public on quit-claim deed forms in connection with two separate Memphis properties between 2010 and 2025. According to a report by the New York Post, the fraudulent deeds listed a sales price of $10, a common placeholder used in deed transfers, but typically followed by documentation of the actual sales price. However, the $10 remained under the price in the transfer documents.

“That for and in consideration of ten and no/100 Dollars ($10.00) cash in hand paid, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of all of which is hereby acknowledged, said party of the first part has bargained and sold does hereby bargain, sell, convey and confirm unto said party of the second part, following described real estate, situated and being in the County of Shelby, State of Tennessee, to wit,” the deed stated.

The two properties in question were located about seven and a half miles apart. After successfully filing the fraudulent documents with city officials, Breakstone reportedly resold one of the homes for $82,000, more than half the price of the home’s value of $157,000, according to WREG. 

The alleged scheme came to an end when a homeowner reported to police she was no longer listed on her house’s property listing. 

Breakstone allegedly used a stolen driver’s license and Social Security number to open a bank account to deposit the profits from the illegal sale. He was arrested in April and is facing multiple felony charges, including theft of property over $250,000, forgery, identity theft, and unlawfully drawing a property transfer document without an ownership interest. He is currently being held on a $110,250 bond.

Breakstone is also listed as the grantor on several other warranty deeds involving property transfers for $10, raising questions about whether additional homes are tied to the scam.

Tuttle, who is accused of participating in the fraud, has not yet been arrested.