NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- A former real estate agent who posed as a property manager and used Craigslist to post ads for homes he didn't own was sentenced Monday in Hamilton County to 40 days in prison.

Richard Swoveland, 38, of Greenfield, conned people by renting them properties that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development owned and had put up for sale.

Several people paid a deposit and were left without a home. Swoveland was ordered to repay more than $500. He faces similar charges in Marion and Hancock counties.

Using the e-mail alias of aldrichrentals@gmail.com and the name David Aldrich, authorities said Swoveland met and "leased" homes to several victims.

"During the meeting at the homes, the suspect would use a HUD master key to open the front door and allow the victims to view and tour the homes," Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount said in January.

Victims signed month-to-month leases with the suspect and paid him a deposit and the first month's rent, police said.