HOUSTON – A Houston woman known for running a nonprofit feeding the homeless and maintaining a significant social media presence has been arrested following allegations of running a fraudulent real estate scheme, according to an arrest warrant written by Houston police.
Rosemary Tucker, who operates the nonprofit “Hoodies 4 Healing,” has nearly 100,000 Facebook followers, and has posed in photos with state and city leaders, was arrested last week after a months-long investigation by the Houston Police Department’s Major Offenders Division.
She was charged with securing execution of a document by deception and fraudulently using personal identifying information. Her alleged co-conspirator, realtor Michael Okokhere, faces the same charges.
Investigation Reveals Complex Rental Scheme
According to an arrest warrant, Tucker, whose Texas real estate license has been suspended since 2018, allegedly worked with Okokhere to operate an unauthorized rental business. Investigators say Tucker leased at least seven properties across Harris and Fort Bend Counties using a stolen identity before re-leasing them and collecting payments from tenants.
In some cases, tenants with criminal records ended up getting access to homes they otherwise may not have qualified for, according to police.
Financial Investigation
Police investigators discovered a bank account associated with Tucker that received average monthly deposits exceeding $112,000, with many transactions appearing to be rental payments between the range of $1,600 and $3,000, according to records. Some of these allegedly fraudulently obtained funds were used to support Tucker’s Christian apparel business, Blessties Boutique, according to investigators.
More than $12,000 went to T-Mobile bills for the business, $6,715 went to a Nissan auto loan bill, and nearly $300 was paid to Planet Fitness dues in Tucker’s name, police said bank records revealed.
The boutique, which appears to support the nonprofit operations based on social media advertising, was no longer at the Cypress address listed in multiple places including court records. Instead a massage parlor is in the strip mall suite and neighbors said it has been there for months, with the only remnant of the clothing business being a banner hanging on the back of the building which reads, “Buy a Hoodie. Help the Homeless.”
Real Estate Industry Response
“That is one of the most popular ways [of fraud] because it’s very easy,” said Troy Cothran, a board member of the Houston Association of Realtors. Cothran advises landlords to exercise caution and thoroughly investigate potential tenants, recommending a review of at least two years of tenant history.
“No matter how good it sounds, you’ve got to take some time to investigate it,” Cothran warns. “If you get the wrong person there, it can cost you thousands of dollars that you may not have to spend on things that you took a shortcut on.”
Current Status
Tucker was released over the weekend after posting an $85,000 bond. Just one day after her release, she appeared to resume her charitable activities, with video footage on Facebook showing her continuing to serve Houston’s homeless community.
Tucker’s defense attorney declined to comment on specifics of the case or answer whether her charity work will continue as the cases are pending, but said she maintains her innocence and intends to fight the charges in court.
Okokhere also posted bond and was released on Monday, records show.
Houston Police said the investigation into the matter is ongoing.