A Florida homeowner returned from a seven-month trip abroad to discover an unwelcome guest residing in his Ocala residence. The homeowner, who had been in New Zealand, grew suspicious due to a spike in his electricity bill.
Upon returning, he found his front door ajar and the interior in disarray. Though initially finding the house empty, the homeowner's unsettling encounter was yet to come. He decided to sleep in a closet, fearing the intruder's return. As he recounts to FOX Orlando, he awoke to find a man, later identified as 26-year-old Ze'Moye Brown, standing in his bedroom doorway. A confrontation ensued, with Brown claiming the house had been vacant for three years and demanding the homeowner leave. The homeowner fired a warning shot into the floor and threatened to call the police.
Ze’Moye Brown, the accused squatter. (Marion County jail)
When officers arrived, the homeowner, despite the shock and theft of personal items including a scooter, guns, tools, his social security card, and the deed to his house, initially hesitated to press charges. He expressed to FOX Orlando that Brown reminded him of his son. However, Brown was ultimately arrested and charged with trespassing of an occupied structure, drug possession, and marijuana possession. He is currently being held on a $3,500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 11th.
The Ocala, Florida home where the alleged squatting took place. (WOFL)
