A Former Apartment Leasing Agent Managed To Duck Jail Time After Scamming Tenants Out Of Rent Money In Tyler.

Paying rent for an apartment in Texas follows common practices found across the United States. Typically, tenants pay monthly rent to landlords or property management companies.

But a former leasing agent who offered tenants a deal that was too good to be true and ran off with the money that was paid to her was finally captured and received her punishment after putting tenants in a very bad position.

24-Year-Old Sedona Francis Concocted A "Half Off Rent" Scheme According To Police.

Sedona Francis of Richardson, once worked as a leasing agent at The Residences At Earl Campbell in Tyler. Francis allegedly notified several residents about a half-off rent deal for back-to-school season.

Several residents took Francis offer and sent her money but later discovered that Francis did not work for the company anymore and the complex was not offering a back-to-school special or any kind of deal.

Francis took about $5,096 from seven people by taking rent payments with the intent to deprive the property owner.

After the leasing office issued three-day eviction notices to 75% of residents, police were alerted and Francis was given the opportunity to turn herself but went on the run until February 28th.

Francis said she was in contact with the tenants to get their money back, but she later became "frantic" and contacted a lawyer who told her to not pay everyone back because it would show guilt. When asked what she did with the money, Francis claims she "just spent it".

Francis Plead Guilty To Property Theft Between $2,500 and $30,000 on March 19.

Francis was sentenced to five years' probation. If she violates her probation, she could face two years in a state jail facility, according to the report from CBS19 whose excellent investigative work shed light on this story.