LANSING – Today, Rafael Rodriguez, 44, of Florida, was sentenced to 72 months to 20 years’ incarceration by Judge Michael J. Beale in the 42nd Circuit Court for stealing money orders and cash out of drop boxes at apartment complexes and mobile home parks, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Rodriguez, who pled guilty to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise in August, was ordered to pay $27,284.31 in restitution. Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas, 56, of Florida, was sentenced to 2 to 20 years’ incarceration for the same crime in September.

From 2019 to 2022, the two men stole money orders and cash out of drop boxes at apartment complexes and mobile home parks in the counties of Bay, Midland, Oakland, and Saginaw. The Midland County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges jointly with the Department of Attorney General against Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Venegas in March.  

“Michiganders work hard and deserve better than having their rent payments fished out of drop boxes and stolen by criminals,” said Nessel at the time Rodriguez pled. “Thanks to our partnership with Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks, the perpetrators of this scheme will be held accountable and required to compensate these rent-theft victims.”  

“We are extremely pleased that these cases have been successfully prosecuted as a result of the partnership between the Attorney General’s Office and the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office,” said J. Dee Brooks, Midland County Prosecuting Attorney at the time Rodriguez pled. “We believe that this case sends a strong message that even out of state actors will be held responsible for their criminal acts in Michigan. I, again, want to thank Det. Mark Stefaniak and the Midland Police Department, as well as the other involved police agencies, for their excellent police work. Also, thanks again to Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Lippitt and Midland County Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Driscoll, for their great work in prosecuting the case.”

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