Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Rafael Rodriguez, 44, of Florida, pled guilty today to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, in the 42nd Circuit Court in Midland County for rent thefts across the eastern half of the state, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. As part of the plea, Rodriguez has agreed to a restitution order of $36,235. Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas, 55, of Florida, who pled guilty to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise for the same crime earlier this month, has also agreed to pay $36,235 in restitution.

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.

“Michiganders work hard and deserve better than having their rent payments fished out of drop boxes and stolen by criminals,” Nessel said. “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.”

The Midland County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges jointly with the Department of Attorney General against Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Venegas in March.

“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. “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.”

Rafael Rodriguez will be sentenced in front of Judge Michael J. Beale in the 42nd Circuit Court in Midland County on November 14, 2024, and Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas will be sentenced in front of Judge Stephen P. Carras on September 26, 2024.