Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging seven men with operating a national stolen car ring involving approximately 60 stolen cars worth approximately $3.1 million.  The defendants are charged with conspiracy and the possession, sale, and transportation of stolen cars.  Four of the defendants were arrested today and will be presented in White Plains federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith.  The other three defendants were arrested and will be presented before federal judges in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “As alleged, these defendants operated a nationwide stolen car ring involving stolen luxury cars worth more than $3 million.  They stole from rightful owners and used a criminal network of thieves, fraudsters, and forgers to line their pockets, all while driving themselves around in stolen Lamborghinis, Range Rovers, and other pilfered prizes.  With our partners at the FBI and the State Police, we have slapped a boot onto these fast-paced heists, and will now tow the defendants off to justice.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated:  “As alleged, these individuals conspired to steal property, defraud state and local authorities, and unwittingly involve private citizens in an auto-theft ring spanning the country.  This kind of criminal activity undermines public confidence and destabilizes communities.  Thanks to the diligence and hard work by law enforcement, these arrests have put the brakes on this criminal enterprise.”

NYSP Superintendent George P. Beach II stated:  “Through this collaborative investigation among law enforcement partners at all levels, we have uncovered a highly organized, national car theft operation that was allegedly responsible for victimizing car buyers all across the country.  I want to commend the efforts of all of those involved in bringing this alleged criminal activity to an end and for the outstanding work that led to the arrests in this case.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From October 2017 through November 2018, MARVIN WILLIAMS, NICHOLAS DIXON, a/k/a “Robbie,” JASON HIGNEY, BESAR ISMAILI, STEVEN KLEIN, LASHAUMBA RANDOLPH, and ABDURAHAMIN SHABAZZ, a/k/a “Abdurahmin Shebazz,” a/k/a “Abdur,” operated a stolen car ring, during which they (1) obtained stolen cars from, among other places, Michigan and Florida; (2) transported the stolen cars to, among other places, the Southern District of New York and Connecticut, for resale; (3) created and/or obtained false titles, registrations, and temporary license plates for the stolen cars; (4) used the false car records to deceive car buyers and the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles; and (5) used online markets, such as eBay, to solicit buyers of the stolen cars across the country, including in the Southern District of New York.

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WILLIAMS, 32, of Torrington, Connecticut, DIXON, 43, of Tamarac, Florida, HIGNEY, 39, of Terryville, Connecticut, and KLEIN, 55, of Easton, Connecticut, are each charged with the sale or transportation of stolen vehicles and conspiracy to do the same, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  ISMAILI, 37, of Waterbury, Connecticut, RANDOLPH, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, and SHABAZZ, 45, of Providence, Rhode Island, are each charged with conspiracy to sell and transport stolen vehicles, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the State Police.  Mr. Berman also thanked the Waterbury Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles, the South Dakota Lake County Treasurer’s Office, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Deininger and David Felton are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 



[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.