Sexual Predator-Turned-Realtor Allegedly Stole Home From Grieving Vegas Family: Report

Las Vegas man Michael Lee Turner successfully had his rape conviction expunged prior to starting a real estate empire that allegedly exploits the families of recently deceased property owners, according to a comprehensive report from Big League Politics. 

Turner was convicted of attempted sexual assault in 1986, according to an internal law enforcement memorandum originally published by Big League Politics.

Details of the grisly event were also published by the website, revealing that Turner brought a woman home from the bar then dragged her into a bedroom, “ripped off her skirt and pantyhose, pried her legs apart,” and violated her before gagging her with a towel and choking her by shoving his fingers down her throat.

The confidential document reveals that the victim eventually escaped and “ran down the street nude.”

Though his actions may have constituted a more serious charge, Turner ultimately pleaded guilty in exchange for a less serious conviction. As a result, Nevada law allowed him to successfully have his criminal past sealed in 2010, the outlet reported, though it happened against against the objections of the Clark County District Attorney.

Accordingly, these details were obscured when Turner’s firm allegedly concocted what Big League Politics describes as “a sophisticated real estate swindle, accused of using a cast of characters to con a pregnant woman out of her mother’s estate shortly after her death.”

The website describes a scheme Turner allegedly concocted following the death of the elderly June Edna Trissel, who owned a home but had no will at the time of her death.

Documents and emails first published by Big League Politics purportedly reveal that Turner approached Karlenda Trissel, one of June Edna Trissel’s four children, and offered $50,000 for her mother’s home, despite it being recently appraised for $120,000 without Trissel’s knowledge. Turner told Trissel he would cover all legal fees, and would communicate with Trissel’s siblings on her behalf. Documents also reveal that his longtime business partner Joshua Milonas was also involved.

Ultimately, Turner only paid Trissel $12,500, “under the rational that Karlenda only possessed a fourth of her mother’s estate” along with her estranged siblings, Big League Politics reported. This came after multiple assurances that Trissel was likely to receive the full $50,000.

Turner allegedly worked with two other men, Gary Campbell and David Crosby, to confirm the real value of the house despite the $50,000 offer:

While Karlenda was being contacted, certified public accountant Gary Campbell, represented by attorney David Crosby, filed with the state of Nevada to be independent administrator over the estate, which is permitted under Nevada state code in cases such as these. Campbell appraised the value of the estate at $120,000 on Jan. 14, 2020, which is $70,000 more than what was offered by Turner’s firm.

After the sale was complete, Big League Politics explains that the property was eventually sold for $165,000 the same year:

After paying as little as $12,500 for the property, it was sold through estate administrator Gary Campbell to Armand Fried, another attorney closely connected to Turner, for $76,000. Fried would flip the property for $165,000 in a different sale later in the year. Karlenda Trissel fell victim to a con that affects countless families nationwide – how unscrupulous attorneys, real estate agents and accountants exploit loopholes in the law to “legally” rob people of their homes and their inheritances.

It’s unclear whether Trissel’s case is isolated, though Big League Politics suggests she “is one of countless victims” of “scams” and “land grabs perpetuated by Turner and his associates”.

It’s unclear how many offenders of Turner’s nature may have had their past records sealed, though Las Vegas explicitly forbids those convicted of committing sexual offenses from having their records sealed.