Fake Craigslist ‘Photographer’ Jailed on Rape Charges

Craigslist02

A Miami man has been arrested after allegedly posing as a photographer on Craigslist to lure two women to a remote spot and then assault them.

Anthony Molina-Iglesias, 30, faces charges of sexual battery, armed sexual battery, kidnapping and carjacking.

According to police, he met up June 28 with two young Orlando women who had responded to his Craigslist posting offering modeling sessions. He drove their car to a wooded area in northern Miami-Dade County and took one of the women into the woods, ostensibly to photograph her. Once he was far enough from the car, he choked the woman, tied her up and raped her.

Police say he then returned to the car and repeated the sequence with the second woman, after which he drove off in their car.

A mugshot of Anthony Molina-Iglesias
A mugshot of Anthony Molina-Iglesias

It’s not the first time Molina-Iglesias, who relatives say has never owned a camera, has allegedly used the photographer ruse. According to a Feb. 1 Miami police report on another rape allegation against Molina-Iglesias, “a victim … disclosed she met the defendant through a friend. Introduced himself as a photographer and offered to take free modeling photographs of her.”

ScreenHunter_06 Jul. 03 13.15

The Craigslist “About” section includes a safety checklist that advises users to meet in public places, tell friends or family where they’re going and “trust your instincts.” The site, of course, is already well known among photographers as a fine space to buy stolen gear, find unpaid work and spice up your wedding photography business with Nigerian check scams.

(via WSVN)


Image credits: “Craigslist World Headquarters” by Calton, Anthony Molina-Iglesias booking shot by Dade County Corrections

Discussion