Nine Arrested in North Georgia RICO Case Tied to Years-Long Vehicle Title Fraud Scheme

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – A six-month, multi-agency investigation has led to the arrest of nine people accused of operating a large-scale vehicle title fraud scheme that investigators say illegally generated more than $1 million across North Georgia over seven years.

The investigation, led by the Flowery Branch Police Department in coordination with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department, began in June 2025 after authorities uncovered evidence of fraudulent vehicle registrations tied to Brandy Marie Pitts, 46, of Lavonia, and Susan Faye Palencia, 61, of Homer.

Investigators determined Pitts and Palencia operated multiple limited liability companies out of office space in Gainesville and worked with several local auto dealerships to illegally register and insure vehicles. Authorities allege certain dealerships sold older, high-mileage vehicles at inflated prices to unlicensed buyers who could not legally register them. Those buyers were then directed to Pitts and Palencia, who charged hundreds of dollars to register the vehicles under corporate entities they controlled.

As part of the scheme, customers were also required to obtain insurance through America Insurance Agency, a business owned by the suspects, investigators said.

According to authorities, hundreds of vehicles were fraudulently registered under corporations owned by Pitts and Palencia, with the activity believed to have occurred continuously since 2018.

The investigation expanded in September 2025 after officers executed a search warrant at the Flowery Branch home of Maria D. Escamilla, where investigators say more than 40 fraudulent vehicle registrations had been transferred. During the search, officers also recovered more than seven pounds of marijuana. Investigators determined the marijuana belonged to a family member, Jesus M. Adame, 26, who was later charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects.

In December 2025, the Hall County District Attorney’s Office secured indictments against nine individuals under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Arrest warrants were issued December 19, and all suspects have since been taken into custody and booked into the Hall County Jail.

Those arrested include Brandy Marie Pitts of Lavonia; Susan Faye Palencia of Homer; Manuel Rene Alvarez of Gainesville; Curtis Allen Livingston of Suwanee; Scott Wedford Norris of Marietta; Maria D. Escamilla of Flowery Branch; Vianney Garcia Guerrero of Buford; Lindsey Ngu of Gainesville; and Juan Camilo Sardi of Gainesville.

Authorities credited the investigation’s success to cooperation among numerous agencies, including the Hall County Tax Commissioner’s Office, Georgia Department of Revenue, Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.