A $2.3 million bank-owned home in Bethesda, Washington, D.C., was allegedly taken over by squatters Tamieka Goode and her partner Corey Pollard. The surreal situation, which escalated recently, drew attention after Goode reportedly posted a social media clip stating, “You can’t be doing regular people s–t.”
“Less than two weeks of being incarcerated, Tamieka Goode is back in the house,” neighbor Ian Chen told Spotlight on Maryland.
The squatter dispute allegedly began about a year ago. Chen, a 19-year-old college student residing next door to the contested property with his parents, initiated the filings that led to charges of trespassing and fourth-degree burglary against Goode and Pollard last July, according to court records.
RELATED STORIES
At that time, Chen contacted the Montgomery County police, reporting what he believed was a forced entry into a foreclosed property that was pending sale. Spotlight on Maryland requested details from him regarding the officers’ response.
“Nothing, really,” Chen said. “They just knocked on the door, and when there was no answer, they just got back into their cars and left.”
Montgomery County Police, through Shiera Goff, explained that because the people (squatters) had stayed in the home for over 30 days, they had established residency, making it a problem for the “landlord tenant office.”
This response, combined with State Delegate Teresa Woorman’s questioning of whether squatting should be a crime, angered Chen. He chose to take legal action to remove them, stating that his belief in hard work and paying bills made this “the right thing to do.”
“It’s frustrating, but we will continue to fight on. We will continue to pursue this charge, and no matter what Tamieka tries to do to evade justice, I will always be there to try to hold her accountable and finally put this case to rest,” Chen continued.
After nine months of legal delays, including repeatedly missing court dates, Goode, a self-proclaimed “pro-se litigation coach,” finally had her day in court, as reported by Spotlight on Maryland in late January.
During a recess, Spotlight on Maryland questioned Goode about her unauthorized residency in the Bethesda mansion and whether she considered her squatting a criminal act.
Outside the L. Leonard Ruben District Court of Maryland, Goode forcefully stated, “Get out of my face.”
Judge John C. Moffett later sentenced Goode to 90 days in prison on all charges, commenting that she had “some demented thoughts to justify” her squatting. However, Goode was released from Montgomery County prison just 11 days later, on February 2, after posting a $5,000 cash appeal bond. She hired attorney Alex J. Webster III of Maronick Law for her circuit court appearance.
After her release, Spotlight on Maryland footage showed normal activity resumed outside the Bethesda squatter home. Despite “no trespassing” signs, video captured two women crossing the icy driveway from neighboring properties. One woman wore green pants and shoes, similar to Goode’s clothing when previously confronted outside the courthouse.
In an exclusive interview, Spotlight on Maryland spoke with Webster about his client, Goode, and how she gained access to the Bethesda property.
“Miss Goode did her research,” Webster explained. “She found out that a certain property was under the control of a certain group – there was a title issue.”
Webster further stated that this title issue allowed Goode to “assume the property under squatter’s rights.”
Webster was then asked to specify which squatter’s right applies in Maryland.
“It’s not a particular squatter right, but there are rights known as squatter’s rights,” he said.
Goode’s attorney, Webster, conceded that breaking and trespassing are crimes in Maryland, but denied Goode committed them, stating there was “no evidence” and that “multiple people” were inside the 7,500-square-foot luxury home, though he couldn’t confirm the exact number.
When asked about the safety of Goode’s minor daughter, who neighbors reported seeing, Webster defended Goode’s parenting, saying she is a “good mother” and made “responsible decisions to ensure the safety of the juvenile in the house” during the 12 days Goode was jailed.
Spotlight on Maryland attempted to contact Goode at the Bethesda house recently, but received no answer despite knocking; a “no trespassing” sign was visible. A dog was heard, and pet waste was seen outside the main door.
A neighbor, “Mi,” fears the situation will become “volatile” and “erupt into violence” now that Goode is back and aware of neighbors’ removal efforts. Mi, who asked not to be identified by her last name for safety reasons, blamed a “lack of law control.”
Other neighbors who were concerned about a juvenile left alone with unknown occupants during Goode’s incarceration contacted Child Protective Services (CPS), which reportedly visited the property the day Goode was jailed but left after no response.
Child Welfare Services confirmed receipt but offered no immediate comment, including why officials left without ensuring the juvenile’s safety.
Goode is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference hearing on March 6 in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, Pollard, Goode’s partner, is currently subject to an active bench warrant because he failed to appear in court in late January. His legal history, which spans a decade, includes being charged with unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle, felony theft, and unauthorized removal of property.
