Six individuals have been charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. The accused are Marco Honesty, Richard Francis, Dominique Hayes, Deandre Dudley, Ilon Coles-Melson, and Marcus Gallmon, all residents of Washington D.C. and Maryland.
The charges stem from a series of at least 18 burglaries committed between March and November 2024 in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. The group allegedly targeted consignment shops during nighttime hours using sledgehammers to steal designer handbags and other items before transporting them across state lines.
Each defendant faces one count of conspiracy to sell or receive stolen property that crossed state boundaries. This charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the amount involved in the offense.
Marco Honesty appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen on June 13, 2025; Dominique Hayes on May 22; Ilon Coles-Melson on April 11; Marcus Gallmon on February 26; Deandre Dudley on February 20; and Richard Francis on February 5—all in Newark federal court. While Honesty was detained along with Hayes and Coles-Melson, Gallmon was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond alongside Dudley and Francis.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent Ricky J. Patel for their role in the investigation leading to these charges. She also acknowledged various police departments across multiple states for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons is representing the government in this case from the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
Anyone who believes they may be affected by these crimes or has relevant information is encouraged to contact authorities at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or reach out to local field offices.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty as per legal standards.
Defense attorneys for the accused include Adrien Moncur for Marco Honesty; Timothy Donahue for Richard Francis; Bruce S. Rosen for Dominique Hayes; Charles McKenna for Deandre Dudley; Paul Condon for Ilon Coles-Melson; and Charles Alvarez for Marcus Gallmon.
