Current:Home > StocksHouston pair accused of running funeral home without a license -EquityZone
Houston pair accused of running funeral home without a license
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-09 14:24:38
Two people in Houston were arrested after authorities say they were running a funeral home without a license while also stealing insurance payouts.
Javian Major, 26, and Sandy Broussard, 38, were charged with forgery and theft respectively, according to NBC affiliate KPRC.
The pair are accused of conspiring "to forge beneficiaries' signatures, illicitly obtaining life insurance funds and stealing thousands," according to a Facebook post from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable.
Officials said at a press conference Friday that the monthslong investigation began with a tip to the Texas Funeral Commission.
"This is a case that absolutely turns my stomach," Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said during the news conference. "It turns my stomach because you're dealing with people at the most vulnerable time of their lives – after they lost somebody they loved and cared for."
Victims taken advantage of at 'lowest point'
Multiple victims of the alleged scheme spoke during the news conference about falling prey during their most sensitive moments.
“When a family is grieving at their lowest point, this individual had the nerve to take advantage of us,” Ernest Aakquanakhann, a victim of the alleged scheme, said.
The victims who spoke at the press conference reiterated their need for justice to be able to grieve.
"I have never heard of anybody doing this, but this man needs to be buried under the jail," said Shatammiz Hicks.
The accused are out on bond, according to KPRC. It is unclear if Major or Broussard have an attorney who can speak on their behalf.
Investigators believe there could be more victims.
veryGood! (41676)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Here’s when your favorite show may return as writers strike is on the verge of ending
- Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo in concussion protocol, status for Week 4 uncertain
- How you can stay safe during sudden, severe turbulence
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Bermuda premier says ‘sophisticated and deliberate’ cyberattack hobbles government services
- A Swiftie's guide to Travis Kelce: What to know about Kansas City Chiefs tight end
- YouTube CEO Neal Mohan says tough content decisions can be tradeoff between two bad choices but safety is company's North Star
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Coast Guard searching for woman swept into ocean from popular Washington coast beach
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Sly Stallone's 'Expendables 4' belly flops with $8.3M, while 'Nun 2' threepeats at No. 1
- Climate change is making climbing in the Himalayas more challenging, experts say
- The premiere of 'The Golden Bachelor' is almost here. How to watch Gerry Turner find love.
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- EXPLAINER: What is saltwater intrusion and how is it affecting Louisiana’s drinking water?
- Why many business owners would love it if you stopped using your credit card
- Reba on 'The Voice': An exclusive sneak peek at Season 24 with the new country icon judge
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
In new effort to reset flu shot expectations, CDC to avoid messages that could be seen as a scare tactic
Taylor Swift roots for Travis Kelce alongside Donna Kelce at Kansas City Chiefs game
Fatal Florida train crash highlights dangers of private, unguarded crossings that exist across US
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey rejects calls to resign, vowing to fight federal charges
Toddler, 2 adults shot and killed in Florida, authorities say
9/11-related illnesses have now killed same number of FDNY firefighters as day of attacks: An ongoing tragedy