Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with an international network accused of stealing thousands of electronic device shipments across the United States. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey.
The defendants, including Demetrio Reyes Martinez from the Dominican Republic and others from New York and New Jersey, face charges related to conspiracy to transport and receive stolen property. Additional charges include wire fraud conspiracy against Alejandro Then Castillo and Wilson Peralta Tavares, as well as transportation of stolen property against Andrickson Jerez and Edickson Lora Castillo.
According to court documents, the group targeted shipments from FedEx and other carriers using computer scripts to extract data from tracking systems. They also allegedly bribed employees of a major U.S. cellular provider for confidential customer information.
The operation involved dispatchers who obtained delivery details and runners who stole packages. Major fencing locations were reportedly operated in the Bronx by Jerez, Raimond Cabrera De Leon, and Luis Marte Tavares, while Joel Suriel managed another in Brooklyn.
Count One carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment; Count Two could lead to 20 years imprisonment; Counts Three and Four each carry a potential 10-year sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna stated that these defendants allegedly caused millions in losses by stealing expensive electronics through technological means. Homeland Security Investigations' Michael Alfonso highlighted the collaboration among law enforcement agencies that led to these arrests.
FBI's Terence G. Reilly emphasized their commitment to dismantling such criminal networks regardless of complexity.
New Jersey experienced over 400 package thefts targeting cellular devices in 2024, prompting a task force collaboration involving multiple police departments and federal agencies.
The defendants are scheduled for court appearances before Judge José R. Almonte at the U.S. District Court in Newark.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David E. Malagold and Trevor A. Chenoweth represent the government in this case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
