HOUSTON — A man suspected of setting up a funeral home scam appeared in court on Monday.
Prosecutors said there is probable cause to charge Javian Major with forgery. He’s accused of stealing $25,000 of insurance money from one family.
Many victims came forward during a press conference on Friday claiming their money was stolen. Some families even said their loved ones' remains might be missing.
Major claims what he did is legitimate, but a judge said the case will move forward.
“This is a case that absolutely turns my stomach,” Harris County Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen said during the press conference.
His office says Major and Sandy Broussard are accused of defrauding families out of insurance money.
Ernest A’Akquanakhan said Major was supposed to help with his sister’s funeral last year.
“It’s a time when people are at their worst, losing a loved one,” he said.
“He forged my future brother-in-law’s signature, who’s a city councilman [in Louisiana], and stole all the money from my family,” A’Akquanakhan said.
On Monday morning, Major appeared before a Harris County judge. He’s accused of posing as a funeral director and forged a signature, scamming a life insurance beneficiary out of $25,000.
“Some of that money went to Javian Major, some did go to the funeral, but we believe that number is higher than what it should’ve been,” Phillip White, a felony chief in financial crimes told KHOU 11 News.
The night before his court appearance, Major responded to the allegations in a YouTube video.
“I didn’t sign nothing,” Major said in response to the allegations. He has since bonded out of jail.
His defense attorney, Brooklyn Brewer, said the case will move forward.
“The state has done a great job and is in full transparency with me today and communicating what our goals are moving forward and getting this matter resolved,” Brewer said.
KHOU 11 News couldn't find Major’s name when searching Texas Funeral Service Commission license records.
Broussard will appear in court at a later time.