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Accused squatter, power thief appears in court

Posted at 6:30 PM, Apr 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-06 18:30:45-04

A neighborhood’s nightmare has come to an end after an accused squatter and power thief was given the boot.

Wednesday, the foul mouth woman made a court appearance for her alleged illegal life style.

Outside the courtroom, Tonya Houston was all mouth, spewing profanity towards 7 Action News Reporter Ronnie Dahl. Inside the courtroom, the 40-year-old said little before Circuit Court Judge Shannon Walker, allowing her attorney to do the talking instead.

Houston is charged with fraudulent use of public utility, malicious destruction of utility property and squatting.

Despite being in trouble with the law before, the mother of nine, with a tenth child on the way, may not go to jail.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office offered Houston a plea deal, dropping the felony charge of fraudulent use of public utility. In court, Houston declined to accept the deal at this time. 

7 Action News first met Houston and her crew in September, 2015. Neighbors were concerned for their personal safety after Houston moved into a vacant house on their block. 

Hard working, caring neighbors told 7 Action News they were afraid to come out of their homes because of threats made by Houston and those she knew. Cops were called, but tensions escalated after Houston’s dog attacked a little boy. 

One guy kicked a neighbor’s door while 7 Action News was covering the story, and threw taco shells at Dahl.

After months of horror, Houston was evicted from the bank owned home. Neighbors say peace has returned to their quiet street once again.

Click on the video player to watch Ronnie Dahl’s story.

Have a story for Ronnie? Send her an email at ronnie.dahl@wxyz.com.