Laron Lamont Heidelberg, 41, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry to seven years in state prison for his involvement in the real estate scam. The defendant was ordered to pay $420,000 in restitution. Heidelberg is the lead conspirator of six defendants accused of defrauding the estate of a couple who died more than 20 years ago.

Deputy District Attorney Walter H. Mueller of the California Real Estate Fraud Section said Heidelberg and his crew attempted to dupe the victims’ estate out of two inheritance properties, one of which had been in the family for more than five decades. Heidelberg was indicted in November 2007. Others named in the indictment included Joyce Williams, 55, Davaughn Mitchem, 26, Korey Duron Martin, 35, Paul Edward McGee, 55, and Adolphus Ray Harper, 28.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants successfully tapped into the accrued equity of each property by using fraudulent documents.

Heidelberg was convicted by a jury on July 30 of one count of grand theft, three counts of forgery and one count of obtaining money by false pretenses. The jury also found true aggravated white collar crime and excessive taking allegations.

The original property owners, Priestly and Pansy Young, both died in the 1980s. At the time of their deaths, both homes were paid off and their children subsequently inherited the properties. In January 2006, a relative found the properties listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and alerted authorities.

Defendant Williams, who is in federal custody on fraud charges, faces one count of grand theft and two counts of forgery. Defendant Mitchem pleaded no contest to one count of forgery on July 21 and was sentenced to one year in county jail and three years probation.

Defendant Martin is in custody in the state of Georgia and awaiting extradition. He faces one count of grand theft, one count of forgery and one count of obtaining money by false pretenses. Defendant McGee was convicted on July 30 of one count of grand theft and one count of obtaining money by false pretenses. McGee received a sentence of three years probation.

Defendant Harper remains outstanding. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.