TYLER, Texas — A former East Texas leasing agent is wanted for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from Tyler apartment residents through a leasing agent scheme.
Sedona Francis, 24, is accused of taking 20 tenants' rent money and not handing it over to the apartment complex, The Residences at Earl Campbell.
In August, residents complained to the apartment complex after the leasing office issued three-day eviction notices to 75% of residents.
Two months later, the tenants want Francis behind bars and their money returned.
"I still ain't cut out the loss of that money because like I said, money doesn't grow on trees. I ain't got that much money to give away," Haleigh Rolling said.
Tyler police say they gave Francis a chance to turn herself in, but she continued to run. Police last tracked her to the Dallas area.
"The detective on the case has been in touch with officers and agencies around Wiley. Any officer in the state who contacts her will know she has a warrant for her arrest," said Andy Erbaugh with the Tyler Police Department.
Tenants say they were offered half-off rent if they paid Francis directly but that money never went toward their balance. About 20 residents were victims of the scheme and were issued eviction notices. After the scheme was revealed, many of them were given the option to stay, but several chose to leave.
"At that particular point in time, the resident does not have to get out by statute," said Smith County Pct. 1 Constable Ralph Caraway Jr.
Caraway Jr. says none of those eviction notices were filed through the Justice of the Peace.
Now, residents like Chloie Caldemuyer still want answers.
"I hope that we can all get what we deserve. From the office itself more so than from her because I feel like it does fall more back on them since they were the people that hired her," Caldemuyer said.
Residents say they will continue to fight this in court and hope to get their money back.
Erbaugh says when you take that much money it becomes a felony, and Francis will be prosecuted.