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Former Real Estate Agent Pleads Guilty - Stealing Drugs from Home for Sale in Stafford VA

By Dawn DeGroff

Real Estate Agent with Fredericksburg Realty, Inc

August 23, 2007 12:14 AM

Bet there is no lockbox on this door!

It was not too much of a surprise to read the headline on the front page of our local paper today. "Woman pleads in drug case" by Keith Epps. I knew a little more about the case than most agents. I did not know the reason WHY. Today I do, at least I know what I read in the paper.

On October 31'st Heather Gay entered a home for sale in Stafford, VA that was listed with my firm, I was the alternate agent. She stole prescription drugs from the homeowners. She entered again on Nov 3rd and stole more prescription drugs. The homeowners called the police and an investigation was completed.

Yesterday she pleaded guilty to the charges. She claims she stole the drugs for her mother who is addicted to pain medication. She further stated that she hoped the drugs would help improve her mothers behavoir. Apparently Heather (31) lived with her mother and her mother cared for her 2 small children. She also said she did not enter the house with the intent of stealing anything. But, when the client commented about the drugs she got the idea. She stole the drugs the first time from plain view (in a cabinet) ...then again when they were hidden 3 days later.

She is free on bond, and will be sentenced on 2 Nov. The maximum penalty is 10 years.

I guess I have never walked in her shoes (thank God), but this is what I think. I would never steal anything, I would never leave my children with someone who had (or would) treat them poorly, I would not enable a person addicted to drugs. What does this teach her children...it is ok to do drugs if it makes you a nicer person, NOT!

More to come Nov 3rd.....

Here is a link to the full article for those who wish to read it.

www.fredericksburg.com

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Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Neal - Yes, times are tough. But, It is never ok to steal...times were very tough for the sellers as well. She was licensed less than a year.

Diane - I think she has kissed it goodbye already...She deserves it.

Jean - Drugs do awful things to people...But society needs to hold them accountable. She does need a friend and help.

John - It is rare...but unless those who abuse their rights are convicted than it will only get worse.

Al - It is amazing...Thankfully she was caught and the homeowners chose to pursue the matter. I wonder how many times this has happened before, and never been reported?

James - That to me (I have 4 kids) is very hard to comprehend. I would never leave my children with someone like that. If that is even true.

Richard - I hope she gets help...but she deserves to be punished...I do wonder about her kids though...sounds like she should not leave them with the mother.

Gary and Mary - I hear you...I hope the same.

Sarah - I agree... That is a whole other Blog!

Aug 23, 2007 02:11 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Regretfully, Sarah, some people like this will slip through the crack (no pun intended) every once-in-awhile. There are some people who hold a real estate salesperson license in Virginia that have been convicted of a felony. Yes, there are!

The real estate board was/is aware of the facts and circumstances behind those convictions and has determined that the person now possesses enough moral turpitude so as not to interfere with their conducting business as a salesperson. It is their place to determine the effects of licensure in each individual case. Personally, I believe that if the system permits forgiveness then we should not question the authority that grants the exception.

A second chance in some cases is warranted and I do not wish to second guess those who provide that opportunity! Who knows, someday it may be one of us that needs a second chance.

Aug 23, 2007 02:14 AM

Anonymous

Sarah Stelmok, ABR, GRI, e-Pro, Realtor, Fredericksburg VA

Yes, Ed, in some ways I agree. But not in this case. I sit on several Boards that allow me to hear the comings and goings of the Realtors in the Central and Northern Virginia areas. I assure you that the people granting these "2nd chances" are making huge mistakes. We, as real estate agents, are allowed into peoples homes and their financial lives with as little as 60 hours of education. And. not all of that is in a classroom setting. There are many of these instances that just get brushed under the carpet. There are far worse things going on that have managed to stay out of the papers. I know what is going on out there and I am sick of it. I personally don't believe that the fines and punishments that are in place now are a big enough deterent. I think that it is each states responsibility to raise the bar and allow us to look like a professional organization. I would hope that I would never put myself in a situation that would put my license in jeopardy, or my future licesure in jeopardy, that would require a second chance. Your actions have consequences.

Aug 23, 2007 02:57 AM

#12

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Sarah:

I wrote about the real estate board (VREB) and not local association "boards." I was not addressing the instant case (the agent who stole the drugs). Have been around long enough to see people practicing real estate who have been convicted of serious felonies involving moral turpitude.

Education does not an honest person make! Have always found it most interesting that there are mandated classes on ethics. Attending a class on ethics does not make one an ethical person any more than not attending the class makes you unethical.

We as real estate professionals should be held to a higher standard. You are correct; when people conduct business in a manner that does not hold up to the established standards they should be sanctioned.

Unfortunately, there are many that do not have the same high standards you do. I wish that there were more!

Aug 23, 2007 03:14 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Sarah - I agree with you. I struggled about whether or not I was going to write about this this morning...I think the truth needs to be told and people in society need to be held accountable, for their actions. It is ashame that she, and people like her give Realtors in general a bad name. I am sure you are right and there is so much I do not know. I do not believe she will ever get another licence in this state to sell real estate. It is beyond me why some people have their licences after having committed and being found guilty of serious crimes.

Aug 23, 2007 03:16 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

BTW, She Never had a client in the home with her. She was by herself both times, the first time the owner was home.

Aug 24, 2007 07:19 AM

The TaxMan

Self Employed - Oakland, CA

That's too bad.

I feel bad for her kids, they had nothing to do with it.

It's sad that a drug addiction can turn a person to commit such a careless act.

Aug 24, 2007 07:26 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Mystery Guest - I do feel very sorry for her kids..I cannot imagine what this will do to them. But, should she get away with it because she has children? No. She has not shown any signs of trying to be a good mother (IMO). They will be much better off when and if she gets help!

Aug 24, 2007 08:34 AM

The TaxMan

Self Employed - Oakland, CA

Oh no, by no means should she get away!

I just hope that her behavior does not shape a negative future for her children (whether or not she is a part of it).

I'd like to think that she will do her time and learn her lesson, and that her children will grow stronger because of the experience, but unfortunately this is not what usually happens in cases like this.

Aug 24, 2007 08:43 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Mystery Guest - True... We will see what the sentence is on 02 Nov. I hope she does get help, and that she stops the lies, enabling, etc. and does the best she can for her innocent children. Hopefully they are not already too influenced by her bad decisions.

Aug 24, 2007 08:57 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Dawn great post! I love the line about "No lockbox on this door!" I love it! It is scary when you think about it. We always tell homeowners not to leave any valuables, lock up their guns (in Georgia), and put away any prescription drugs out of easy reach when placing their home for sale. A lock box does not mean the home is more secure.

Sep 02, 2007 12:44 PM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim - That is so true. The medicine was not out...and the agent had no client. She was mos definitely by herself.

Sep 03, 2007 01:18 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Dawn that sometimes makes me wonder why agents preview and they have no clients.

Sep 03, 2007 01:51 AM

Irene Morales Ward

REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA

Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate

Dawn...YIKES! I blogged on this, too. Too hot a story not to write about. I hope your sellers were able to recover from that. That's a horrendous experience!

Sep 03, 2007 09:24 AM

Irene Morales Ward

REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA

Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate

Dawn, I guess her statement to the authorities (and reported in that article) that it was her clients' who gave her the idea when they opened the cupboards and saw the pain medication is a lot of rubbish? Why am I not surprised?!

Sep 03, 2007 09:30 AM

Mike Riedmann

NP Dodge Company - Omaha, NE

Residential Broker Manager NP Dodge Company Omaha

We had a similar situation in our state except it was a customer who stole the pain medication. It is important that sellers know the potential for this when they list their home.

Sep 03, 2007 03:08 PM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim - I try to preview. It is ashame that one should have to worry because of the very very small minority of agents who are unethical or better yet criminal.

Sep 04, 2007 01:25 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Irene - I will have to go back and read it. They took the house off the market and decided to stay there.

Sep 04, 2007 01:27 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Irene - I am not surprised either. The first time the homeowner was there. The medicine was not out, and was not where anyone should be looking. The second time they had hidden it. She was there for one reason and one reason only. I am not so sure I even believe it was for the mother. I feel very badly for the children, they are the innocent ones. I will be sure to let you all know when I know more!

Sep 04, 2007 01:32 AM

Dawn DeGroff

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA

Mike - We always tell our clients about the possibility. It was never out in the open. Makes me wonder how many other homes she did the same thing to, and never got caught or turned in.

Sep 04, 2007 01:36 AM