Ring Leader Gets 97 Months In Conspiracy That Burglarized Rent Collection Drop Boxes At Apartment Complexes Across Florida, Georgia, Hijacking & Altering Tenants' Money Orders, Then Depositing The Loot Into Their Own Bank Accounts

From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Tampa, Florida):

• U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday [] sentenced Juan Carlos Miranda Noda (29, Tampa) to eight years and one month in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The Court also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $259,257, which constituted the proceeds of the conspiracy, and a restitution order in the amount of $424,433, to be paid to the victims.
  
  According to court documents, from in or around May 2013, through 2015, Miranda Noda was the ring leader of a group of conspirators who stole rent payments from rent collection boxes at apartment complexes across the State of Florida and in Georgia.
  
  The conspirators staked out the drop boxes, burglarized them, and kept the money orders that the victim renters had purchased to pay their rent. The conspirators then washed or altered the original money orders, replacing the original names with their own names, and deposited the stolen money orders into accounts under their control at several banks located throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. They then shared in the proceeds of the thefts.
  
  Five other conspirators will be sentenced for their involvement over the coming weeks.

Source: Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than Eight Years For Stealing And Cashing Rent Checks Throughout Florida.