INDIANAPOLIS — A suspected real estate fraudster is now facing 16 separate felonies.
James Bryer II was indicted by a Marion County grand jury on “allegations of corrupt and deceptive business practices targeting family members,” according to a press release from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the release, Breyer II committed a series of crimes between March 2018 and May 2020 that affected at least five families in the Indianapolis area.
Both the press release and official documents in the Breyer II indictment allege that Breyer II attempted to force the sale of a consumer’s home, forged a $50,000 bank loan, and forged an heir. This indicates that the relevant documents were used. According to court documents, Breyer II also allegedly operated as a broker-dealer in Indiana without registering.
The felonies Briar II faces range from level 4 felonies to level 6 felonies. The formal charges he faces include:
- Securities fraud where victim is 60 years of age or older, Level 4 Felony.
- Unlawful Sale of Securities to Person Over 60 Years of Age, Level 4 Felony.
- Indiana Unregistered Broker Dealer Carrying on Trading Business as a Broker Dealer, Level 5 Felony
- Corrupt Business Influence, Level 5 Felony
- forgery with intent to defraud, a level 6 felony;
- theft of property valued between $750 and $50,000, a level 6 felony;
- obstruction of official business, a level 6 felony;
- Theft of Property Over $50,000, a Level 5 Felony
Mr. Breyer II’s first hearing was held on Tuesday. He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 12th.
“I commend the Marion County Grand Jury for handling this case with the dignity it requires,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a press release. “The defendant’s alleged actions are abhorrent and we will fight to ensure that the rights of the victims who were exploited are restored and defended.”
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone who may have been targeted or exploited by Mr. Bryer to contact the Marion County Grand Jury Division at (317) 327-5600.