A man claiming he inherited a $5.4 million Oklahoma City mansion tried three times to record paperwork asserting ownership, according to investigators. Employees refused to record the disputed deed.
The homeowner also learned that someone had attempted to obtain a loan against the property, according to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested Antonio Moore, 29, on September 30. Oklahoma County court records identify him as Antonio D Shay Moore and show that prosecutors filed two felony counts that day: first-degree forgery and obtaining property by deception.
Sheriff Tommie Johnson III publicly described the investigation on October 22. The property is a roughly 14,000-square-foot residence in the gated Gaillardia neighborhood.
He Claimed the Mansion Was Inherited From Deceased Relatives
The first reported incident occurred in April. The homeowner’s association contacted the owner after a man tried to enter the gated neighborhood, saying the property had belonged to relatives who died, according to a sheriff’s report cited by KFOR. Community security did not allow him inside.
The man reportedly tried to enter Gaillardia twice more that April.
The Owner Found His Electric Account Changed and a Loan Attempt Flagged
The homeowner reported receiving correspondence addressed to Moore at the mansion. He also discovered that electricity service had been transferred into Moore’s name.
The Bank of Oklahoma notified the homeowner about an attempted loan using the residence as collateral. Johnson told KOCO that he believed borrowing against the property was Moore’s intended objective.
County Clerks Rejected Three Attempts to Record a Deed
On September 11, employees at the Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office alerted sheriff’s deputies to paperwork that purported to show Moore had inherited the mansion. The legitimate homeowner also visited the office to report possible fraud.
According to FOX 25, clerk’s office employees carefully reviewed the documents, explained why they could not be recorded and asked additional questions. Investigators said Moore returned to the office twice more.
Oklahoma Court Records Show Two Felony Charges and a $25,000 Bond
The court docket for State of Oklahoma v. Antonio D Shay Moore, case CF-2026-5325, lists two felony charges filed September 30. Count one is first-degree forgery under 21 O.S. § 1561. Count two is obtaining property by trick, deception or false representation under 21 O.S. § 1542(A).
The docket records an October 6 initial appearance, when a judge set bail at $25,000 and tentatively appointed a public defender. A preliminary-hearing conference was rescheduled for October 27 at 9 a.m. Moore has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Oklahoma’s Deed-Theft Notice Lists Unexpected Utility and Loan Records
The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission’s 2026 deed-theft notice identifies unsolicited mortgage or utility mail, unauthorized deeds and unexpected loans linked to a property as warning signs. It advises owners to examine county land records and investigate suspicious notices promptly.
A falsified deed does not itself give someone lawful ownership. If one is recorded, however, it can complicate later title searches and transactions. Johnson warned that owners may need legal proceedings to clear an unauthorized document from their property’s records.
Homeowners Can Sign Up for Free County Property-Record Alerts
The Oklahoma County Clerk’s Property Alert System sends registered users notifications when documents affecting their property are filed. Alerts can arrive by text message, email or telephone. The system warns about filings but does not prevent someone from submitting paperwork.
The state’s deed-theft notice also advises property owners to check credit reports for unfamiliar loans, contact the county clerk or an attorney if a deed or lien appears without authorization. Anyone who believes they have been targeted should report the matter to law enforcement.