Rental homeowner Tim Arko of Delkab County, Georgia, is facing an ongoing battle to evict squatters who not only broke into his property but also got him arrested for trespassing on his own land back in February.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Arko remains determined to regain control of his property.
According to a report by WSB-TV, Arko has obtained an eviction order, which has been approved. Now, he is eagerly awaiting the DeKalb marshal to schedule a time to forcibly remove the squatters from his premises. The squatters have been living in Arko's property for the past six months, during which time two individuals have tragically lost their lives due to drug overdoses. To make matters worse, code enforcement has cited Arko for violations, even though he is legally prohibited from entering his own property.
Arko recounted the terrifying experience he had when he first discovered the squatters. He explained that he had arrived at the house a few days after his previous tenants had moved out, only to be confronted by an individual who pointed a gun at him as he entered the driveway. Fearing for his safety, Arko quickly jumped over the fence and fled. "I just jumped the fence and ran. I didnt know what else to do," he shared.
After contacting the police, Arko found himself in an unimaginable situation. "They told the police that I was a home invader and that it was their home. And so I ended up being arrested and detained," he revealed. Contrary to the squatters' claims, Arko emphasized that he did not stumble upon an innocent family enjoying a meal. Instead, he encountered a scene of weapons, a prostitute, a pack of dogs in the backyard, and a broken-down fence.
Arko expressed his frustration with a system that appears to favor criminals in these situations. "I feel like its very heavily weighted towards these trespassers and criminals, not people that got duped," he lamented. His attorney, John Ernst, echoed these sentiments, stating, "No one likes, you know, being in the court system, but it becomes even worse when it seems broken down."
WSB-TV reporter Justin Gray visited the house and attempted to speak with the person inside, who claimed to have a lease but refused to provide any evidence to support this claim.
In Georgia, squatters are afforded certain rights under the adverse possession statute, which treats them differently than mere trespassers. Adverse possession cases are considered civil matters that must be resolved through the courts.
Arko has been informed by the marshals that he should be able to regain possession of his home and evict the squatters in September. Despite the challenges he has faced, Arko remains hopeful that justice will prevail, allowing him to reclaim his property and put an end to this distressing ordeal.
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