Dennis Wendell Jones, 52, and Woodard Ira Warren, 56, both residents of Fort Lauderdale, are facing charges of swindling multiple victims in a scam involving a purported luxury townhome development called “The Falls of Davie.” The development promised high-end features such as private elevators and rooftop summer kitchens, with prices starting at $1.3 million per unit, located just five minutes from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Prospective buyers placed deposits of around $100,000 to secure properties that were never built. The accused operated under the company name “Omni Development” and allegedly used the funds for various personal expenses, including bills, food, entertainment, and even restitution to victims of previous scams.
Arrest warrants revealed that the pair falsely advertised the development, claiming ownership of a property they didn’t possess, lacking site plan applications and permits. A Pennsylvania woman reported the scam after sending $320,000 to Omni for a townhome construction that never materialized. When she asked for permits, her concerns went unanswered, prompting her to investigate further, leading to the discovery that permits and site plans didn’t exist.
An investigation into Omni’s bank accounts indicated that the pair collected at least $1,022,300 in deposits, with other victims sharing similar stories and facing difficulties in recovering their money. The investigation also uncovered expenditures for luxury items, food, entertainment, and payments to various online accounts.
The “Falls of Davie” website, still active at the time of the report, used photos sourced from a different property sold in Delray Beach in 2021, indicating further deception.
Jones, who had prior convictions for fraud schemes, was arrested on November 14 and is being held without bail due to probation violations. Warren was held on a $75,000 bond in the Broward Main Jail. Both face charges of first-degree grand theft, money laundering, and obtaining property by fraud.
This case serves as a reminder to exercise caution when dealing with real estate investments and thoroughly verify the legitimacy of any offers and contracts.
