Brooklyn Councilmember Chi Ossé was arrested Wednesday outside a Bedford‑Stuyvesant brownstone as deputies moved to carry out an eviction tied to a long‑running deed‑theft dispute. Footage circulating online shows Ossé being taken into custody while he stood with neighbors and activists who had gathered to try to stop the removal. The clash has put a fresh spotlight on conservatorships, title fights and what protections exist for longtime homeowners.
Video shows Ossé arrested outside long‑disputed home
A video shared with News 12 shows Ossé being led away as sheriff's deputies closed in on a Bedford‑Stuy property at the center of a contested title dispute. The outlet reports that Carmella Charrington was taken into custody last Thursday during an appearance at Kings County Supreme Court in a conservatorship matter and that she was released Tuesday evening. According to News 12, the Sheriff's Office had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
How the arrest unfolded
Officers moved to enforce what supporters described as an eviction at a home on the 200 block of Jefferson Avenue, where neighbors and activists gathered outside to block entry. A clip posted on social media shows Ossé being forced to the ground and put in handcuffs while trying to block deputies, according to reporting by Patch. Authorities have not released detailed charging information as of this writing.
The property at the center: 212 Jefferson Avenue
The fight centers on 212 Jefferson Avenue, a four‑story brownstone the Charrington family says has been in their hands for decades and was recorded as sold in January 2024 to 227 Group LLC, a transfer the family contests. Amsterdam News has detailed the legal filings, surveillance footage and the family's claims that the sale was improper. Advocates say the case fits a broader pattern of deeds and title disputes that disproportionately affect Black homeowners across Brooklyn.
Osse and the push against deed theft
Ossé has pushed a local and state agenda aimed at curbing deed theft and keeping families in their homes while title claims are investigated. In a Feb. 2 release, Council Member Chi Ossé called for tougher enforcement of existing state tools and a narrow moratorium on evictions in cases where deed theft is suspected. Organizers and several elected officials have been pressing for both immediate relief for victims and longer‑term legal fixes.
Legal fallout and what comes next
Supporters said Charrington was held in contempt at a recent hearing and taken into custody during her court appearance, Patch reported. New York courts can order incarceration for civil contempt until a party purges the contempt, and the Kings County Supreme Court's civil term manages those enforcement powers at the 360 Adams Street courthouse, according to the court's public FAQ. Because sheriff's deputies execute court‑ordered evictions, advocates say clearer interim protections are needed while ownership and conservatorship disputes work their way through the system.
What's next
Ossé's office said it is closely monitoring developments and will provide updates, News 12 reported. In the near term, organizers plan further rallies and legal motions as the family continues to fight the title and advocates push for policy changes to prevent similar disputes.
