AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron landlord is accused of allowing tenants to live in his homes for free if they agree to tend to his large marijuana growing operations.

The charges stem from raids last week at five of Joseph Kroslak's homes -- in the 900 block of Fess Avenue, 800 block of Keeney Street, 600 block of Lafollette Street, 600 block of Morgan Avenue and 1200 block of Tampa Avenue.

Akron narcotic detectives reported finding more than 350 marijuana plants inside the homes.

"Having people in the homes provides a sense of normalcy to keep neighbors and police from being suspicious of the owner visiting a vacant house," court records say. "The residents provide security not available in a vacant home."

Kroslak, 64, faces a third-degree felony charge of marijuana cultivation and is free after posting a $5,000 surety bond. Two of his tenants Donald Carpenter, 64, and Alberta Eiseman, 63, -- each face a third-degree marijuana cultivation charge. Their cases are being reviewed by a Summit County grand jury.

Kroslak appeared to be building another marijuana growing operation in the basement of his Tampa Avenue home, court records say. Police also noted finding about a pound of loose marijuana at the homes.

After finding a receipt for a storage unit in one of the homes, investigators went to Kroslak's A-1-Store-It-All unit and reported finding nine guns, including five shotguns, and $6,700.

Some of the homes had electricity bills more than eight times higher than comparable homes in the area, court records say.

Kroslak's criminal past includes a 2004 conviction for growing marijuana with three children inside the home, including one who was 4 years old.

Akron narcotics detectives in that case raided his Keeney Street home and found several marijuana plants, a full marijuana growing operation and more than three pounds of marijuana in the basement. They also found a handgun inside the home.

Kroslak was sentenced to two years of probation in that case. He was forced to give up the $494 that police seized during the investigation.