A former Memphis real estate agent is scheduled to appear in court Friday following his arrest on charges of property theft. Joshua Spotts, 40, was taken into custody on Wednesday, accused of misappropriating more than $14,000 from a client whose property he had agreed to manage.
The charges add to a series of legal and financial troubles for Spotts, who faced similar accusations earlier this year and was previously subject to a significant civil judgment. His state real estate license expired several months ago.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua Spotts, 40, was arrested and charged with theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000.
- He is accused of failing to remit $14,157 in rent and deposits from a property he managed.
- This follows a separate theft charge in April 2024 involving nearly $13,000 obtained through fraudulent checks.
- Court records show Spotts was ordered to pay over $930,000 in a 2021 breach of contract lawsuit.
- His real estate license officially expired on August 15, 2025.
Details of the Property Management Allegations
The most recent charges against Spotts stem from a business arrangement made in September. According to court documents, Spotts assisted a woman with the purchase of a triplex property and subsequently signed a contract to act as its manager.
The agreement stipulated that Spotts would collect rent and security deposits from tenants. These funds were then supposed to be forwarded to the property owner, with a portion reserved for general maintenance and upkeep of the building.
However, the property owner reported to police that she never received any of the money collected. She claims that after she confronted Spotts and demanded the funds, he ceased all communication with her. The total financial loss alleged by the owner is $14,157.
The Role of a Property Manager
A property manager acts as a fiduciary for the property owner. Their legal and ethical responsibilities include collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, and managing financial accounts with transparency. Withholding funds is a serious breach of this trust and can lead to both civil and criminal penalties.
A History of Financial Accusations
This week's arrest is not Spotts' first encounter with law enforcement regarding financial misconduct. In April 2024, he was charged with a similar offense—theft of property ranging from $10,000 to $60,000—in an unrelated case.
That incident involved Orion Federal Credit Union, where a bank manager identified suspicious activity. Authorities state that Spotts deposited fraudulent checks totaling $24,950 into his account. Before the checks were discovered to have insufficient funds, he allegedly managed to withdraw $12,949.
Over $900,000 Judgment: In a separate civil case in 2021, a Chancery Court judge ordered Joshua Spotts to pay $930,589 to a plaintiff in a breach of contract lawsuit, indicating a history of significant financial disputes.
These repeated allegations paint a troubling picture of financial dealings that have now drawn the attention of criminal investigators on multiple occasions. The 2021 civil judgment, while separate from the criminal charges, underscores a pattern of significant contractual conflicts.
Professional License and Legal Status
Compounding the legal issues is the status of Spotts' professional credentials. According to state licensing records, his license to practice as a real estate agent officially expired on August 15, 2025. This was just before the property management agreement at the center of the current charges was signed in September.
Operating in a capacity that requires a real estate license after it has expired can bring additional regulatory penalties, separate from any criminal charges. It raises questions about the legitimacy of the management contract from the outset.
"The property owner says she never received any of the money. And after confronting him and demanding the funds, she said Spotts stopped communicating with her."
What Happens Next
Spotts was arrested on Wednesday and is now facing a felony charge. The classification of theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000 carries significant potential penalties, including prison time and fines, if a conviction is secured.
His court appearance scheduled for Friday will likely be the first step in a legal process that will examine the evidence presented by the property owner and law enforcement. The prior allegations from April 2024 and the civil judgment from 2021 could potentially be introduced by prosecutors to establish a pattern of behavior.
For now, Spotts is considered innocent until proven guilty. The court will hear arguments from both the prosecution and the defense before determining the next steps in the case. The outcome will be closely watched by those in the local real estate community and by former clients.
