A New York man admitted on June 12 to participating in a conspiracy that targeted shipments of electronic devices, resulting in losses exceeding $1.5 million, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Raimond Cabrera De Leon, 33, of New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Jamel K. Semper in Newark federal court on July 16 to conspiring to receive and transport stolen goods. Documents and statements presented in court described Cabrera De Leon as part of an international ring that stole electronic device shipments from FedEx and other carriers by using automated computer scripts to scrape tracking data and by bribing employees of a major cellular provider for confidential delivery information.
The network operated with “dispatchers” who obtained and sold delivery details, while “runners” purchased this information to steal packages. Cabrera De Leon managed a significant “fence” location out of a Bronx residential building where stolen devices were regularly brought for sale.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the value gained or lost, whichever is greater. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited Homeland Security Investigations’ New York Field Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the New York City Police Department; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office; as well as law enforcement agencies from the Dominican Republic for their roles in investigating this case.
In 2024, over 400 package thefts targeting cellular devices were identified across New Jersey. In response, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with state police and federal agencies to form a task force aimed at sharing intelligence and identifying suspects through private sector collaboration. Numerous local police departments contributed to these efforts.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey is part of the Department of Justice and prosecutes federal crimes throughout the state while representing the United States in civil matters statewide; it operates offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden with about 170 attorneys and support staff covering all regions, according to its official website.