The Story

In January 2006, Reginald Glenn met a Woman through a dating service (listed in the newspaper and online). They communicated quite often before she decided to come to Houston, Texas from St. Louis, MO.

This person (Jocelyn Diad-Oquendo) told Reginald (as well as his family, friends and merchants) stories like she had a malpractice lawsuit that she couldn’t ask her family to help her with because they had stole other monies that she had previously received. She asked Reginald to help her by accepting the lawsuit in his name (she would give him power of attorney) to do so.  He declined several times before he eventually decided to help her.

Reginald told her he would help her to buy a house, a car and to gain employment if needed because she really wanted to continue practicing nursing.

Jocelyn Diad-Oquendo told him because he was so kind to her, that she wanted to help him and his family. When Reginald  his mother and sisters met with her, they told her that this didn’t appear to be valid.  They also informed her that they were Believers of the Word of God and that they didn’t want any mess in behind this stuff.

She was very, very convincing. Ignorantly, they gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Reginald found a house in Royal Oaks Country Club located in Houston, Texas (Westheimer Street) and started the proceedings for the purchase through the builder, McVaugh Homes.  Jocelyn’s so called “attorneys” indicated that they would wire the funds to Pinnacle Title Company (President, Warren King) to pay for the home.   After finding the house, the realtor (Rosemary Hort of McVaugh Homes) indicated she would contact them once Pinnacle Title company called and said the wire had arrived.  She did.

The wire was for 1.3 mil dollars, the house was $730k, so Pinnacle Title company gave the difference ($550k) to Reginald in checks.  He went to the same bank Pinnacle Title used and opened a bank account and deposited the money there.

Reginald and Jocelyn purchased furniture for the home, purchased a SUV and put $100k down on other real estate property, and purchased her brother a car.  Jocelyn sent for her kids (Marisol and Hector Obenga) as well as other family members and friends.

About a month later Pinnacle Title Company (Warren King) began calling Reginald asking for a copy of the wire.  Because Reginald never saw or had the wire in his possession (it was supposed to come through her St. Louis attorneys), he told them that Jocelyn’s attorney would have to furnish that.  Pinnacle Title NEVER informed Reginald that they had put someone else’s wire in his folder by mistake!

On April 5th Pinnacle Title served Reginald Glenn with a letter indicating they had made a mistake (by putting another couple’s wire in his folder) and that they would give him 10 days to turn everything back in.   Warren King never told Reginald that he ALSO filed for a civil suit.  Reginald immediately hired an attorney for counsel.  On that same day, Warren King went to the D.A., leveraged off of the fact that he’s an attorney, threatened Reginald via the phone and did not acknowledge the 10 days and had Reginald Glenn arrested on April 7th for theft.

The amazing thing about this, the prosecutor (Joni Vollman) nor the investigator (Mike Kelly) tried to pursue the real culprit in this case because Reginald’s family explained to them (the DA and Investigator) that this was a SCAM!  They knew ALL of this information beforehand!  Jocelyn of course ran… never to be found again.

Reginald was let out on a $30K bond.

February 2007

During the trial, the lady (Whitney) at Pinnacle Title company (who initiated the closing) admitted that she made a mistake by putting the wire in the wrong folder.  Whitney said and I quote:

“Yes, I made a horrible mistake.”

It was Pinnacle Title’s fault had they never called him in for closing, this would have never happened!  Not only had they put the wrong wire in his folder, they turned around an issued a refund to him for over $500k!

Pinnacle Title’s insurance company would not honor their ‘lost’ claim because it was their mistake!  The home builder, McVaugh Homes fired Pinnacle Title from ever doing business with McVaugh homes again.

Reginald’s attorney at the time, Cornel A. Williams,  made everyone involved admit their mistakes during the trial. On top of the fact, Reginald did not have a jury of his peers.  He had a all white jury, they found him guilty of theft.  Judge Devon Anderson of 177th Criminal Court sentenced him to 20 years stating:

“I want you to understand that this has nothing to do with Pinnacle Title Company but everything to do with you. We are here because of you! I FEEL that you are a con-artist and I’m not giving you probation, I’m sentencing you to 20 years.”  Judge Devon Anderson

What in the world could she have possibly been referring to?  What did he ever steal?  How was he found guilty of theft?  Reginald Glenn has NEVER been in trouble.  At the time this all began, he was 49 years old, and an educated professional (architect).

Reginald, somewhat naive to society [the streets] deception and because of his decision to help this horrible woman, this is what he’s been handed.

Family, friends and associates don’t understand how Judge Devon Anderson came to this conclusion since she had nothing, no negative past information to conclude that he is a con-artist or a thief. On top of the fact, it had everything to do with Pinnacle Title’s error, THEY made the mistake.

Reginald has accepted his responsibility in making the wrong choices, Judge Devon Anderson had him in the county jail, time away from his job where he could be actively working towards any restitution — but no, these people have decided to destroy his life at 49 years old, with no prior record, and he’s not a thief, he didn’t steal anything — Pinnacle Title company made, and I quote, “a horrible mistake.”
 
Reginald turned 50 in the county jail.  Never in trouble before, it bewilders me how the Judge deemed him to be a “con-artist” and that this was “all his fault.”  Now he’s serving time in a prison, shackled and put on a bus to a state prison!
 
We strongly believe that not only should Pinnacle Title & McVaugh Homes be held in account for their errors but so should Judge Devon Anderson as well as the Prosecutor Joni Vollman, Attorney Cornel A. Williams and Investigator Mike Kelly.

Questions:

  • Reginald was required to sign everything back over to Pinnacle Title company, including money in the bank, all the furniture, automobile and home, why is it that McVaugh Homes was not required to do the same?
  • Why was Pinnacle Title never required to give a total of restitution at the trial?
  • Why did Judge Devon Anderson sentenced him the way she did?  He is not a threat to society.  He’s doesn’t have a police record.  He’s not a con-artist. 

Since this has happened, Reginald’s sister, Regina had to leave her place of residence to stay with their Mother who has a hard time being alone. 
 
November 2007

Reginald’s original attorney, Cornel A. Williams is no longer representing him.  The family and friends feel very strongly that “he gave Reginald over to the prosecution.”  Why?  Because he didn’t call any witnesses when there were over 20 available.  As there were numerous witnesses to this case, Cornel A. Williams did not call any of them into trial.  He didn’t object to the harsh questioning either. 

His appeal Attorney is Joel Androphy of Berg & Androphy.  

July 2008
 
Reginald’s appeal was denied.

We are currently pursuing a petition to the criminal court of appeals.

In the meantime, we know that it’s crucial to bring public awareness to cases like this because due to our very faulty & racial judicial system, thousands of innocent people have spent their lives in prison for crimes they never committed.  This is totally unacceptable.

We also know that unless public awareness is brought to this case, Reginald (now 51) could sit in prison for years for a sentence that was totally outrageous. 

While we also understand through this process that the truth is desired, it is crucial to bring attention to the harsh sentencing in this case.

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