Member of Crew Tied to 490 Catalytic Converter Thefts Pleads Responsible

A Springfield, Massachusetts man pleaded responsible in federal court docket in Boston final week to his position in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 automobiles.

In line with Appearing U.S. Lawyer Joshua S. Levy, Santo Feliberty pleaded responsible to conspiracy to move stolen property in interstate commerce; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; conspiracy to commit financial institution theft; financial institution theft; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The firearm cost arises from a pistol and ammunition discovered in the course of the search of Feliberty’s residence as a part of the catalytic converter theft investigation. U.S. District Court docket Decide Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2024

Feliberty and 6 different males have been arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses associated to the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 490 automobiles throughout 2022 and 2023. The theft of a car’s catalytic converter leads to injury that renders the car inoperable till it’s correctly changed.

In line with prosecutors, Feliberty was a member of an organized crew that stole catalytic converters from at the very least 492 automobiles throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. In line with court docket paperwork, the crew was expert and capable of find and minimize away the catalytic converter from a car inside a minute in most cases – typically using battery operated power-tools and automotive jacks. On quite a few events, the defendants focused greater than 10 automobiles in a single night time, with one night time reporting thefts from 26 automobiles, based on court docket information.

Throughout the plea listening to, Feliberty admitted to taking part in thefts of catalytic converters from 52 automobiles throughout eight cities and cities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Prosecutors allege that the crew was led by Rafael Davila, who they are saying engaged in catalytic converter thefts and burglaries on a full-time foundation. Fees in opposition to Rafael Davila and others are pending and they’re presumed harmless till confirmed responsible.

As soon as in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, prosecutors mentioned the crew would then promote them to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from a number of theft crews after which in flip promote them to scrap sellers within the Northeast – transacting roughly $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week. On Could 17, 2023, Torres pleaded responsible to his position within the catalytic converter theft conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14, 2023.

The scrap sellers have been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and cash laundering within the District of Connecticut, the Japanese District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma.

Along with the catalytic converter thefts, Feliberty pleaded responsible to conspiring to steal from ATMs of banks in Massachusetts on three separate events, allegedly utilizing stolen vehicles to tear the ATMs from the bottom and acquire entry to the vault.

Feliberty additionally admitted to committing burglaries of two New Hampshire jewellery shops and the theft of a trailer.

U.S. Lawyer Levy mentioned greater than 70 native police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to the investigation.

Subjects
Fraud
Massachusetts