Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, charging Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar with conspiracy to receive stolen property. The charges relate to their alleged involvement in purchasing stolen goods that crossed state lines. Nezhinskiy was arrested in New Jersey and Villar in Manhattan. Both are scheduled for arraignment tomorrow before United States Magistrate Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi.
The announcement of the charges came from John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD; and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner of the NCPD.
"As alleged, the defendants created an illicit market and fueled demand for burglaries by South American Theft Groups and other crews around the country by purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other luxury items, and then re-selling them in their New York City store," stated United States Attorney Durham.
Dennehy added that "for almost five years, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar allegedly served as unlawful brokers to perpetuate the sale of stolen luxury items by purchasing them from burglary crews."
NYPD Commissioner Tisch emphasized that "we will not tolerate crime of any kind in New York," while NCPD Commissioner Ryder thanked federal law enforcement partners for their collaborative efforts.
According to the indictment, between 2020 and 2025, Nezhinskiy and Villar conspired to receive and purchase stolen property transported into New York from outside the state. The operation reportedly involved serving as "fences" for South American burglary crews targeting affluent neighborhoods or jewelry vendors across the U.S.
Evidence presented links Nezhinskiy and Villar to various thefts nationwide, including those committed by Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado. Additionally, phone records connect Nezhinskiy with a burglary crew involved in a December 2024 heist targeting a high-profile athlete in Ohio.
Between October 2022 and January 2024, an undercover detective conducted seven controlled sales of purportedly stolen property to Nezhinskiy or Villar at their Manhattan business location. During these transactions, cash was exchanged for items believed to be stolen.
Today’s search warrant execution at their pawn shop on 47th Street led to the seizure of suspected stolen property such as high-end watches and jewelry along with large quantities of cash and marijuana. A separate search at storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey uncovered additional luxury goods consistent with those used in burglaries.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of receipt of stolen goods. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Maffei, Katherine P. Onyshko, and Sean M. Sherman from the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division and General Crimes Section.
