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ABC 7 News: SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) -- Watch the news video here.
A San Rafael man is free on bail Monday night after being charged in connection with offering sex in exchange for an apartment to rent -- which didn't exist. The man who posted the flyer said he was a building manager and that if she had sex with him he would overlook a late payment or two. "I think he's really counting on the vulnerability of a population that is concerned about coming forward with authorities because quite often they can only speak English," said fair housing advocate Caroline Peattie. "He admitted during the interview that he was not an employee of any apartment complex or property management firm," said Lt. Alan Piombo of the San Rafael police. Police were notified, a sting was set up and the man was arrested Friday.
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NBC Bay Area News:
A man posing as a landlord in San Rafael was arrested Friday for offering housing in exchange for sex, police said. Tifano Ariel Rodas Maldonado, 38, of San Rafael used a fake name when he posted advertisements about open housing in the city's Canal neighborhood, according to police. One victim approached Maldonaldo, who police say was specifically preying on the immigrant population, about the housing offer before learning that they would have to pay in both money and sexual acts. After being tipped off about the behavior, police and the Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California conducted an undercover sting operation. They called Maldonaldo about the housing offer. He responded by demanding $2,000 per month in rent and sex in order to live in one of his supposedly available apartments, police said. An undercover officer scheduled a meeting to finalize the housing deal, according to police. When Maldonaldo arrived, police arrested him. He confessed to not being in the real estate business and not having any rental properties in his possession. He also admitted to posting the advertisements. Maldonaldo was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail on felony fraud and prostitution charges. Published at 5:41 PM PDT on May 6, 2017 | Updated at 9:43 AM PDT on May 7, 2017 By Aja Seldon, KRON and Ella Sogomonian
SAN RAFAEL (KRON)– San Rafael police arrested a 38-year-old man who is accused of posing as a landlord and demanding sex from his victims in exchange for housing. Police said, Tifiano Ariel Rodas Maldonado, took advantage of immigrants desperate to find housing. Maldonado posted ads along laundromats in the Canal Street area where many Mexicans and Guatemalans frequent, police said. “Most of the communications were in Spanish,” said Sgt. Raul Aguilar of the San Rafael Police Department.”Targeted toward the Spanish-speaking community, and the locations he was placing his ads.” One victim came forward to the Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California and said Maldonado allegedly offered a key to an apartment for $2,000 a month and sex. Detectives made a call to the ad and Maldonado answered using a fake name, Roberto Mendez. He later met up with the undercover detective, police said. Members of the community were shocked to hear that he could have abused their own people who are already in a stressful position being unable to find housing without a rental or credit history. Maldonado was arrested for felony fraud and prostitution charges. He has since posted bail and was released. |
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