Rafael Rodriguez, a 44-year-old from Florida, pled guilty today in Midland County’s 42nd Circuit Court to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a felony that carries a potential 20-year sentence. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the plea, which involves a restitution order of $36,235.
Rodriguez’s accomplice, Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas, 55, also from Florida, previously pled guilty to the same charge earlier this month and has agreed to pay the same amount in restitution.
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Between 2019 and 2022, the two men were involved in a scheme where they stole money orders and cash from drop boxes at apartment complexes and mobile home parks across Bay, Midland, Oakland, and Saginaw counties in Michigan.
“Michiganders work hard and deserve better than having their rent payments stolen by criminals,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Thanks to our partnership with Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks, these perpetrators will be held accountable and required to compensate their victims.”
The charges against Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Venegas were jointly filed by the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office in March.
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“We are extremely pleased with the successful prosecution of these cases,” said Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks. “This case sends a strong message that even out-of-state actors will be held responsible for their criminal acts in Michigan. I want to thank Det. Mark Stefaniak, the Midland Police Department, and the other involved police agencies for their excellent work, as well as Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Lippitt and Midland County Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Driscoll for their outstanding prosecution efforts.”
Rafael Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Michael J. Beale on November 14, 2024, while Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas will be sentenced by Judge Stephen P. Carras on September 26, 2024.
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