It Starts With Crack Cocaine And Littering, It Ends With Identity Theft And Mortgage Fraud...The Story Of Tynessia Snoddy And Her Crew Of Scammers

Photo of Lamont Nelson From His Public Facebook Profile,

used under First Amendment Fair Comment And Criticism


Prior to being charged with two counts of identity theft in association with an alleged mortgage fraud scheme, Tynessia Snoddy didn't have much of a criminal record--at least judging by what turns up in Hennepin County court records. There is a failure to stop and some kind of broke-ass-broke-but-still-trying-to-maintain-car-ownership thing. Here is the electronic trail of the court records in question:

19AV-VB-08-12458
BV08005915
Snoddy, Tynessia
04/30/1974
08/02/2008
- Dakota-Apple Valley
Crim/Traf Non-Mand
Under Court Jurisdiction
Traffic Regulations-Fail to stop for traffic control signal
27-CR-94-083718


THOMPSON, TYNESSIA NICOLE
04/30/1974
09/27/1994
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
NO MINNESOTA DRIVERS LICENSE
NO INSURANCE ON MOTOR VEH
UNSAFE EQUIPMENT

The criminal indictment shows Tynessia Snoddy also goes by Tynessia Thompson, but the records turn up together and the birthdays are the same. Tynessia Snoddy is Tynessia Thompson.

Also charged in the case is...

...a guy described as Tynessia Snoddy's boyfriend, Lamont Nelson. Making matters more confusing and interesting is the fact another defendant, Angela Hall-Preston, has a child by Lamont Nelson. And then, thrown into the defendant mix, is Christopher Charles Johnson, the cousin of Lamont Nelson.

Lamont Nelson is quite a piece of work, judging by his criminal record, which includes charges for assault and possession of crack cocaine. The charges span 4 different Minnesota Counties, though most of the charges are relatively minor vehicular stuff. Lamont Nelson is the only person I've heard of in the entire state of Minnesota to get charged with littering. Here is Lamont "Litterbug" Nelson's messy trail of legal paper:

02-CR-07-10977
808497
Nelson, Lamont
05/07/1972
10/11/2007
Anoka
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
5V - Traffic-Drivers License-Driving After Suspension

02-T7-06-036877
X 930474
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
12/14/2006
Anoka
Domestic Assault - TRF
Closed
Disorderly Conduct-Offensive/Abusive/Noisy/Obscene

27-CR-07-105793
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
08/13/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Obstruct Legal Process-Interfere w/Peace Officer
Traffic-Drivers License-Driving After Suspension

27-CR-07-123306
6070236069
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
11/14/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Speed faster than reasonable and prudent

27-CR-08-13974
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
03/20/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Identity Theft

27-CR-93-026428
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
04/13/1993
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
5TH DEG POSSESS CRACK COCAINE

27-CR-93-040101
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
05/28/1993
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE
SPEEDING
DRIVING W/O A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE
FAIL TO DISPLAY CURRENT LIC PLATES

27-CR-93-062313
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
07/14/1993
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
2ND DEG ASSAULT

62-T5-07-610886
907107115
NELSON, LAMONT J
05/07/1972
09/20/2007
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Suburban
Moving - Misdemeanor
Under Court Jurisdiction
Drivers' Licenses - No Drivers License in Possession or Fail to Display Upon Request

86-T0-94-003182
WCS 021648
WCS 021648
WCS 021648
NELSON, LAMONT
05/07/1972
06/15/1994
Wright
Moving - Misdemeanor
Closed
DAS
NO INSURANCE
LITTERING FROM VEHICLE

The identity theft charge noted above leaves a very interesting trail in the court records. I will reproduce the entire legalistic mish-mash below, but the end result appears to be this: Lamont Nelson is NOT IN PRISON RIGHT NOW, as a search of the Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator reveals. It is not 100 percent confirmed whether this identity theft charge relates to the Tynessia Snoddy matter, HOWEVER, the date of the Tynessia Snoddy indictment is March 19, 2008, the first day noted on the documentation trail of these identity theft charges against Nelson so it seems highly likely.

Here is the twisty, windy trail of what happened in the court system with that charge against Lamont Nelson.

03/19/2008 E-filed Comp-Order for Detention (Judicial Officer: Belois, Patricia L. )
03/19/2008 Other Document
03/19/2008 Interim Condition for NELSON, LAMONT
- Post bond
$35,000.00
03/21/2008 First Appearance (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Bush, Philip D.)
Result: Held
03/21/2008 Application for Public Defender (Judicial Officer: Bush, Philip D. )
03/21/2008 Order Granting Public Defender (Judicial Officer: Bush, Philip D. )
03/21/2008 Notice of Evidence and Identification Procedures (Judicial Officer: Bush, Philip D. )
03/21/2008 Request for Disclosure (Judicial Officer: Bush, Philip D. )
03/21/2008 Interim Condition for NELSON, LAMONT
- Post bond
$35,000.00
04/17/2008 Omnibus Hearing (10:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Oleisky, Allen)
Result: Held
04/17/2008 Interim Condition for NELSON, LAMONT
- Post bond
$35,000.00
09/24/2008 Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Result: Held
09/24/2008 Petition to Enter Guilty Plea (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
09/24/2008 Order-Other (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
09/24/2008 Notice of Appearance (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
09/24/2008 Order-Other (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
09/24/2008 Correspondence (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
09/24/2008 Interim Condition for NELSON, LAMONT
- Post bond
$0.00
- Aftercare
- Conditions, other
- Contact with probation
- Remain law-abiding
- Make all future court appearances
10/01/2008 CANCELED Omnibus Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Karasov, Fred)
Settled
09/09/2008 Reset by Court to 10/01/2008
01/13/2009 CANCELED Sentencing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Assigned in error
02/19/2009 Sentencing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Result: Held
02/19/2009 Publicly Viewable Note to File (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
04/16/2009 CANCELED Sentencing (10:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Assigned in error
03/30/2009 Reset by Court to 04/16/2009
04/22/2009 CANCELED Sentencing (1:45 PM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Assigned in error
07/02/2009 CANCELED Sentencing (2:15 PM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Assigned in error
11/06/2009 Sentencing (9:45 AM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
Result: Held
11/06/2009 Publicly Viewable Note to File (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
11/06/2009 Interim Condition for NELSON, LAMONT
- Post bond
$0.00
11/10/2009 Sentencing (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Cahill, Peter A.)
11/10/2009, 12/01/2009
Result: Held
11/10/2009 CANCELED Hearing (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Reding, Jeannice M.)
Other
11/10/2009 Sentencing Order (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
11/10/2009 Departure Report (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
11/10/2009 Publicly Viewable Note to File (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )
11/10/2009 Release Ordered (Judicial Officer: Cahill, Peter A. )

Based on the very last entry--release ordered November 10, 2009--it appears Nelson managed to avoid prison time on this charge. My gut instinct would tell me Lamont cut some kind of deal with prosecutors. However, somebody in my social circle actually met Lamont and had the impression Lamont takes pride in his "law of the streets" code of conduct and would NOT act as a snitch. This source also wishes me to note that, upon being in the same room with Lamont Nelson at a social gathering, she/he became so disgusted that it was necessary to leave the party. Lamont was engaged in an extended and laughing discussion about pulling various scams.

A Google search for "Lamont Nelson" and "Minneapolis" turns up a rather interesting court case which makes mention, in passing, of a crack dealer named Lamont Nelson. Click here for that court case. The case is amusing to read because it seems like the judge was taking the opportunity to have fun with a sort of caustic patrician humor. The darkly comic line about how a grocery store clerk doesn't need to bite the broccoli to know what she's ringing up? Priceless. I want this judge to submit a guest piece for Johnny Northside Dot Com.

Lamont Nelson has a Facebook profile, and a portion of it is public, including an image where he shows off an (apparent) diamond watch, and a kind of classic thug pose (see photo at top of blog post) where he appears to be showing off his tattoos.

Anyway, getting back to Tynessia Snoddy's OTHER alleged accomplices, the name "Christopher Charles Johnson" turns up a thug with a relatively minor record of drugs and bad driving, but it is unknown if this is the same "Christopher Charles Johnson." Here is the minor police record of some thug who may or may not be the same individual:

2-T6-03-028481
X 737975
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
11/06/1984
09/04/2003
Anoka
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
THEFT M

02-T7-03-025377
X 736026
X 736026
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
11/06/1984
08/07/2003
Anoka
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
1ST U/AGE CONSUMPTION M
TAMPERING WITH A MV M

02-T7-05-008616
X 755167
X 755167
X 755167
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
11/06/1984
03/21/2005
Anoka
Non Mvng Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
CARELESS DRIVING M
UNREASONABLE ACCEL P
(TCIS Amended Charge) MINOR CONSUMPTION M

27-CR-05-081155
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
11/06/1984
12/20/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
3RD DEG DWI -REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TEST
4TH DEGREE DWI - ALCOHOL

62-K6-07-601257
JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
11/06/1984
10/11/2007
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Suburban
Gross Misd - DWI
Under Court Jurisdiction
Traffic - DWI - Third-Degree Driving While Impaired; 1 Aggravating Factor
Traffic - DWI - Operate Motor Vehicle - Alcohol Concentration 0.08 Within 2 Hours
Drugs - Possess Over 1.4 Grams Marijuana In Motor Vehicle

Angela Hall-Preston is the biggest mystery of the four scammy crew members. No criminal record turns up in the state court system and, indeed, a Google search of Angela Hall-Preston reveals exactly one hit: my mention of her in the previous blog post. I'm happy to be of service to future researchers trying to turn up the facts about Angela Hall-Preston. The criminal complaint says she was a resident of Stewartville, Minnesota. She got involved in the scam because Lamont Nelson owed her arrears on child support and "approached her and asked if she was interested in making some money." Lamont "assured her that she would not get in trouble." As with the time Angela had a baby by Lamont, Angela Hall-Preston did, in fact, get in trouble and was left holding the bag. Let the record reflect Lamont Nelson is just no good and any woman who is taken in by him is, in fact, a fool. I'm just saying.

Some other names get mentioned in the course of the criminal complaint, including Brenda Nelson, date of birth 4/22/1959. Brenda Nelson's identity was stolen as part of this scam. Brenda Nelson is, in fact, Brenda Kaufman Nelson "a resident of Alameda, California" who stated in an affidavit she did not authorize the numerous transactions committed by "The Not Really Nelson," who was actually Angela Hall-Preston. Brenda K. Nelson is simply a straight-up victim of identity fraud.

Another name mentioned in the course of the criminal complaint is Christopher Brett Johnson, a student who lives in Washington, DC, and another straight up victim of identity theft. Let us refer to him as the "Genuine Johnson" as opposed to the "Devil's Johnson."

In its understated way, the criminal complaint says Christopher ("Genuine") B. Johnson "is not employed by Ace Trucking, does not live in Minneapolis, and was not aware of and did not authorize the transaction."

The complaint mentions Kirk Green, the owner of mortgage brokerage "America's Lending Group," talked about arranging financing for three properties on behalf of "Chris Johnson." The three properties were in MY NEIGHBORHOOD, in North Minneapolis, and are as follows:

3607 Colfax Ave. N.

4239 Girard Ave. N.

3415 James Ave. N.

A little digging into these properties on the city website reveals very little but, of course, because the city's website is notoriously out of date. None of the properties shows the recent fraudulent sales. And experience tells me sales data will show up on the city's website, even if the sale is fraudulent, such as the sale of houses to Irene Thomas, the stripper-turned-real-estate-tycoon caught up in the Universal Mortgage scam perpetrated by Marlon Pratt and Donald Walthall.

I am certainly looking forward to seeing how the prosecution progresses, and what other names and properties--what other Tynessia Snoddy boyfriends--might be mentioned as the web of fraud unravels.

Stripper Irene Thomas, Key Witness In Universal Mortgage Case, Reportedly Has Left Minnesota...

Photo By John Hoff

Irene Thomas, a stripper formerly employed at Sugar Daddy's in St. Cloud, was a key witness in the Universal Mortgage fraud case, yet another one of those white-collar criminal fiascos which have hit North Minneapolis hard, causing vacancies and foreclosures. Both Marlon Pratt and Donald Walthall went to prison in this case, click here for a related story. Thomas--a professional stripper and sometimes "model"-- was a "straw buyer" whose credit was used to purchase multiple houses.

About a week ago, I was passing through St. Cloud in the company of Jordan Neighborhood super-volunteer Megan Goodmundson. Recognizing the "Sugar Daddy's" establishment from the name and location, we spontaneously stopped by to see if it might be possible to interview Irene Thomas...

It was an hour before the place was supposed to be open, but the front door was unlocked and we went inside, where we spoke to a man who identified himself as "T.J." the manager. According to T.J., Irene Thomas hasn't worked at Sugar Daddy's in "about a year." T.J. said the word was Thomas had "left the state." T.J. said if any of "the girls" had heard from Irene, he would know, since the business is "like a little family."

T.J. also stated, emphatically, that he runs a clean and legal establishment and the owners do not care for anything with even a hint of possible illegality. I left him my contact information and asked if he heard from Irene Thomas, to please pass on my interview request. An email to an email address known to belong to Irene Thomas went unanswered.

(Blog post by John Hoff, from a soul food bistro in Lake Charles, Louisiana)

Marlon Pratt Mortgage Fraud Case--Bloggy List Of Properties (Summer Visitation 2009)

Photo By John Hoff, stock photo, my son with pages from my blog


The purpose of this post is to maintain a list of property addresses known to be involved with Marlon Pratt, who was recently convicted of 19 crimes revolving around mortgage fraud. So often the addresses are the key, and so here on this blog the addresses will reside so anybody searching for information may stumble upon this post and learn of the very interesting history of these houses. (Which, I hasten to point out, may still be a fantastic bargain in a rapidly-revitalizing neighborhood) If you want to research a property in Minneapolis, here is a great website to start your search, click here.


So, then, without further ado, here is the list...

First of all, here are the properties named in the criminal complaint against Marlon Pratt.

1108 57th Ave. N. (Brooklyn Center)
620 Penn Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
2501 Kyle Ave. N. (Golden Valley)
409 Logan Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
2622 Oliver Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
531 Knox Ave. N. (Mineapolis)
2205 10th Ave. S. (Minneapolis)
2118 Emerson Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
3000 Russell Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
3545 Penn Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
3331 Humboldt Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
2340 Sheridan Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
4122 Bryant Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
2947 Olver Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
3647 Colfax Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
3447 James Ave. N. (Minneapolis)
1411 16th Ave. N. (Minneapolis)

Further digging turned up some other properties NOT named in this indictment, but bearing some indications of involvement with the characters from the Universal Mortgage scandal. There is, of course, some possibility of duplicate names and these properties may NOT be involved. The comment thread is open for anybody who wants to say something about THAT, and I am open to feedback.

Here is the list, all from Minneapolis. The list is a couple years old and the situation with the properties may have changed as far as taxpayer and billpayer.

1316 Thomas Ave. N. Taxpayer Vince Barry. Billpayer Andre Bellfield.

1418 Thomas Ave. N. Taxpayer Kimberly Cordeel. (Sic) Billpayer Tracy Williams. ("Kimberly Cordeel" may be "Kimberly A. Cordell."

1240 Upton Ave. N. Taxpayer Kimberly A. Cordell, Billpayer Marlon Pratt.

2559 Broadway Ave. W. Taxpayer Patricia Jane Smith. Billpayer Donna Pratt and Patricia Jane Smith.

1919 Willow Ave. N. Taxpayer Irene Thomas.

2024 Queen Ave. N. Taxpayer Irene Thomas. Billpayer Donald Walthall.

1008 Russell Ave. N. Taxpayer and Billpayer Irene Thomas.

1906 Russell Ave. N. Taxpayer and Billpayer Donald Walthall.

1830 Dupont Ave. N. Taxpayer Andre Bellfield.

1806 Vincent Ave. N. Taxpayer Katherine Jones, Billpayer Marlon Pratt.

Anybody who cares to share information about Universal Mortage--especially stuff that is NOT in the court system in these rather extensive cases--feel free to share it right here.

Talk Of A "Conspiracy" In The Marlon Pratt Mortgage Fraud Trial, Larry Reed For The Defense...

Stock Photo By John Hoff

An inveterate courthouse observer was in attendance, today, at a hearing for Marlon Pratt, who is in waaaaay over his head in the Universal Mortgage fraud mess.

Larry Reed was there representing Pratt as his attorney. Reed was also the attorney for Larry "Maximum" Maxwell, convicted on 18 felonies related to mortgage fraud. Pratt was allegedly part of the different, separate "Universal Mortgage" fraud ring led by Donald Walthall, and I observed Pratt in in the court frequently during the Maxwell trail, watching his attorney in action. (You'd think Pratt would have copped a plea deal by now, considering how badly things went for Maxwell, but don't we ALL live on hope?)

According to my source, he walked in today just as...

the judge, The Honorable Steve Lange, was responding to an argument by Defense Counsel Larry Reed. The judge was reportedly speaking to Reed in a stern tone, "ripping Reed apart" according to my source, and being much more harsh with Reed than Judge Chu had been during the Maxwell trial. (And she was pretty harsh at the point she was declaring Reed in contempt, though her tone never went beyond "firm admonishment."

The judge in this case-- seemed "offended" according to my source, and the words which had offended the judge could be inferred from the judge's response. The word "conspiracy" was used. Apparently, Larry Reed had argued about there being a "conspiracy" against his client.

At some point, Larry Reed was forced to backpedal, and state he was, after all, only stating what his CLIENT felt. My source described Reed as "reeling" from the tongue lashing by Judge Lange.

Apparently, Judge Lange is retired and has his own arbitration practice, but comes out for really big and complex cases. Word is he has property in Arizona and splits his time between Arizona and Minnesota. He has a stellar reputation as a judge.

EDITORIAL REMARK DIRECTED AT MARLON PRATT: See my previous editorial on this subject. Can you not extrapolate and infer the way things will go for you, just based on how today's hearing went?

Beg for mercy from the prosecutor and cop some kind of plea. You will inevitably do several years in jail, but you will do LESS if you make the smart moves now. Don't make me blog about this months later and call you a dumb a**.