Memphis Squatter Ousted From $3M Mansion, Jailed in Lieu of $2M Bond

By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times 

Gentry/Shelby Co Photo

Last week, a Memphis judge replaced infamous squatter, Tabitha Gentry's $3 million digs with a dank jail cell and a $2 million bond.

The 32-year-old 'Sovereign Citizen' and self-proclaimed moor American National who goes by the name, Abka Re Bey, staked her claim to the bank foreclosed mansion in East Memphis' Shady Grove neighborhood several days ago and moved in...with her children.

Gentry was caught returning to the mansion -- in her white Jaguar ---by Action News 5 as she wrapped a heavy duty chain around the gate. When asked about the home, she told the reporter she wasn't going to discuss the situation.

In an e-mail, Gentry told WMCTV that the mansion is not furnished, but that she's currently working on that adding that she "thanked Allah for allowing me to claim this Vast Estate. I Love My New Home and My Land."

Prior to illegally claiming the $3 million mansion, Gentry squatted at a less pricey and unkempt property located on Cromwell Street where she yanked out the for sale sign, moved in, and racked up $4000 in utility bills before she was ousted 18 months later.

Turns out, Gentry is not only a slickster, but she dangerous and belligerent. In October 2012, Memphis police stopped her on South Bellevue Boulevard near South Parkway for driving with her lights off.

After the officers asked to see Gentry's driver's license, she whipped out a Sovereign Citizen identification card since her Tennessee Driver's License was suspended in May 2007. When told that her SC ID card would not suffice, and she would have to dismount her vehicle, Gentry refused and locked her doors.

The officers attempted to break the windows of the vehicle, but Gentry just drove away, hitting the officers. A small chase ensued and Gentry was apprehended on Lapaloma Street and placed under arrest.

She was charge with Evading Arrest, No Operators License and Aggravated Assault. She later posted her $10,000 bond and was released from the Shelby County jail. No word on the disposition of that case.

After one of Gentry's older children contacted a relative about the lack of furniture and bare cupboards in the fancy mansion, the relative contacted her attorney Kenneth Besser.

The aunt wanted the children out of that situation before police became involved so she and Besser set up a "sting-operation," hoping to snare Gentry as she schmoozed in a nail salon for a manicure. The plan failed.

That's when Besser enlisted the help of the juvenile court and got a judge to sign a child protective custody order. Shortly thereafter, an arrest warrant for Gypsy Gentry and a search warrant for the house were filed.

Police nabbed the savy squatter as she sat in her White Jaguar. Renasant Bank, who legally owns the home said they were glad the event was over and while the Gentry squatting issue was a "new experience" for the bank, they hoped it would never happen again.

 Gentry is charged with theft of property over $60,000.

Those claiming to be moor American Nationals are members of The Moorish Americans, descendants of the Ancient Moabites whom inhabited the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa (Including the northwestern territories we now call the Americas) and are said to be in lawful pursuit of "actual freedom," according to their web site. 

The groups statement goes on to say, "the Moorish American National Government are to establish Domestic and International recognition for the Moorish American Nation/Government and to effectively address the health, interests, rights and needs of the Moorish American people. Our Land and monetary compensation that is due to the Moorish Americans, as well as the concerted effort of nations which have directly benefitted (sic) (prospered) from the blatant denationalization and other inhumane atrocities that the Moorish American Nation has endured from 1779 until 1865 during U.S. constitutional slavery..." See Video Here