Crime & Public Safety
Assistant property manager accused of stealing Andros Isles rental payments in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach police say an assistant property manager at the Andros Isles community is accused of diverting residents’ rental fees and security deposits into a personal bank account. Officers arrested Crystal Marie Valdes, 37, who was released on a $10,000 bond and is charged with money laundering and organized fraud involving less than $20,000.
According to the police probable-cause affidavit, the alleged scheme began at least in August 2025 and was discovered in January 2026 after a resident inquired about a returned security deposit. Investigators found discarded rental applications and money-order receipts in a box slated for shredding under Valdes’ desk. Certified Western Union records identified 13 resident money orders totaling $5,400, and police say 10 of those were deposited into the personal Bank of America account of Valdes’ boyfriend, Ronald Hight.
Bank records cited by police showed 70 money-order deposits totaling $17,975 into that account between June 2025 and January 2026. Authorities allege Valdes instructed residents to pay refundable deposits and rental fees with money orders, then did not process or deposit them into the Andros Isles Property Owners Association account. Police allege the total loss in rental fees and deposits was $13,300; three residents identified Valdes in photo lineups as the employee who handled their ballroom rentals.
The affidavit states Campbell Property Management reimbursed the association and residents were made whole. The affidavit also reports Valdes allegedly admitted in a recorded sworn statement to stealing money orders, filling them out and using Hight’s account because she did not have a bank account; she reportedly told investigators Hight was not involved. Case status: Valdes faces the cited charges and has been released on bond pending prosecution.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.