Cops Run Undercover Sting, Bag Phony Landlord For Allegedly Offering Rental Housing In Exchange For Money & Sex

In San Rafael, California, the Marin Independent Journal reports:

• A suspect posing as a landlord offering housing in exchange for sex acts was arrested [] in the Canal area, San Rafael police said.
  
  Police received information from Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California that someone was preying on the immigrant population of San Rafael. He posted his advertisements in local laundromats in the Canal neighborhood under the fictitious name of “Roberto Mendez” believing the immigrant community would not report his crimes to the police department.
  
  The San Rafael Special Operations Unit, in cooperation with Fair Housing Advocates, conducted an undercover operation [] and answered one of the suspect’s advertisements. A man responded to the undercover phone call, and during the conversation, said that he wanted $2,000 a month and sex to rent the apartment. He offered to pay money for sex acts [] and said he would provide the apartment key the next morning.
  
  He arranged to meet the undercover officer in the Canal area where he was arrested. During an interview, he admitted to police that he was not affiliated with any real estate management company and he did not have any access to apartments or other housing. He admitted to posting his advertisement numerous times over the past couple of months.
  
  Tifano Ariel Rodas Maldonado, 38, of San Rafael, was arrested on felony fraud and prostitution charges and booked into the Marin County Jail.
  
  The San Rafael Police Department said that anyone, regardless of their immigration status, should report crimes to police without fear of deportation. The police department asked that anyone who has been the victim of similar crimes should call them at 415-485-3000.

Source: Fraudulent landlord arrested in San Rafael — preyed on immigrants for sex.