E. Memphis Neighbors Relieved Squatter is Gone

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Updated: 3/08 7:47 pm
MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - She told ABC 24 she would deal with the cops, instead they dealt with her. The Shady Grove squatter is out of that $3 million mansion and in jail with a $2 million bond.

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies arrested Tabitha Gentry around 11:30 Thursday night after they pulled her white Jaguar over not far from the mansion. Neighbors are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the sovereign squatter is in jail.

Overnight, sparks were flying in the swanky east Memphis neighborhood, and those sparks were what neighbors have been wanting for more than a week.

Tabitha Gentry, who goes by Abka Re Bey, was arrested just hours after ABC 24 confronted her about staying on the property illegally. The Shelby County Sheriff's SWAT Team gave her a new free place to stay - Jail East. She's now locked up for aggravated robbery, theft of property and criminal trespassing.

Deputies took a chainsaw to the heavy chain and lock she had wrapped around the fence. On Friday, her private property signs were down and a security guard sat in the driveway, only letting bank employees and contractors in to clean up the mansion.

"I think they did a fabulous job, they didn't put anybody at risk they handled it in a professional way and I'm grateful for that," said neighbor June Baber.

Neighbors are talkative now that the squatter is out, but Gentry's family wouldn't even open the door.

"I don't know nothing about what's going on and I don't want to know," they yelled.

Nobody would comment on how much clean up is required inside the mansion, although crews were seen with several cans of paint.

Gentry's 15-year-old daughter, who was with her during the arrest, is with family. Her 13-year-old daughter is in DCS custody.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of LocalMemphis - Local 24 News

cistic27 - 3/11/2013 2:33 PM
0 Votes
I totally agree LadyJ68. TN is full of racist, ignorant, and jealous people. I respect your review on this subject. EDUCATION is very important. Lack of it is horrible, as you can see MISSY22. STICK TO THE FACTS!!

LadyJ68 - 3/9/2013 6:40 PM
0 Votes
Missy, I am from the west coast, was educated on the west coast, and celebrate diversity. I NEVER said racism is not existant on the west coast. I said there is far less of it and that its disolution is extremely evident on college campuses in that region. You are being quite dramatic in your interpretation of my views. Also, let us not grossly exaggerate and label my respect into worship. Our country is diverse, like it or not. And while we are all entitled to our views, the fact is that racism is far more frequently a problem more prevalent in non-educated sects of society greater in certain regions like the south. AGAIN, I did not say non-existant. I said less prevalent. Racism makes no sense and has no basis in biology. There is no one person on this planet that does not have some other "race" mixed in them. So, yes, individuals have a right to their ignorance. But that does not make this country a better place, and it certainly doesn't make Tennessee a better state. The racists and the loafers all need to strive to abandon idiocy.

missy22 - 3/9/2013 1:57 PM
1 Vote
I love living in TN. Actually, segregation and racism are the result of free people making choices. You might not like those choices, but they have the right to have those beliefs. If you think those things don't exist up north or out west, you are sadly mistaken. Stop worshiping diversity! Lady, you are so right about the "accepting crumbs" thing. If you don't have the life you're looking for, don't look to Washington or Nashville...LOOK IN THE MIRROR! That's where your problem lies. This gal is just another "taker". There used to be a stigma attached to that. Now it's a badge of honor.

LadyJ68 - 3/9/2013 10:14 AM
3 Votes
Blakk, thank you for trolling to get this conversation going. First of all, according to her, her name is not Tabitha. She is not trying to start a revolt against the financial system or any system in this country as she does not claim to be a part of this country. Tennessee is indeed backwards. It has one of the highest bankruptcy rates in the country. There is still far too much segregation and racism from both directions in this state, no doubt. Fortunately, other areas of the country, typically more EDUCATED areas, have come a long way and enough so that a minority president now sits in Washington, D.C. as our President. University campuses and city areas across this country, again in more EDUCATED areas are FULL of diversity. If you are looking for a revolutionary, this woman is not the one. She is neither an American citizen, nor is she doing anything for the reasons you cite. The fact is that she did not own that home and had no right to be there. One is not standing up to anyone by ignorantly freeloading off of anyone or any system. If you want to start a revolution, get out of Tennessee, attend a college up north or out west and do what Obama has done. THE RIGHT and EFFECTIVE way. Stop whining. The biggest problem we have is one where our government permanently enables individuals into accepting crumbs in exchange for their sustained poverty. That is part of the "system" that uses change to reward continued oppressive living conditions. Overall, no one change will bring about a total solution. So, get out of Tennesse where your views are limited, further your education, THEN seek solutions. Homeless freeloading and following a mentally unstable individual that doesn't know her own name is not going to change the social problems in this state or throughout the country.

Blakk - 3/9/2013 9:19 AM
0 Votes
We support you Tabitha! The main people who are all upset about what you did are supporters of the Wall Street Crooks and their Greed and they support this very oppressive financial system in this country that rewards White Collar Crooks but throws the poor folks in Jail for standing up to them! Tennessee is backwards. Everyone knows this. This is not a secret. And it is also very racist. The folks who are angry at you just hate seeing a black person stand up to such a racist oppressive system. This same racist oppressive system that has been good to them. And no one else.
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