Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Walpole resident, Thomas Cataloni, was found guilty by a federal jury in Boston for his involvement in a scheme to smuggle gold, platinum, and other precious metals from Colombia into the United States and launder the proceeds.
Cataloni, 46, was convicted on charges including money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, and international money laundering. His sentencing is set for April 15, 2026. He was originally charged in November 2022.
According to court documents, Cataloni and others sent large sums of money to Colombian bank accounts in 2018 to pay for gold and platinum that would be brought into the U.S. without being declared at customs. To hide the smuggling activity, the metals were melted down in Colombia and fashioned into items resembling crude jewelry such as chains or keychains. Individuals then wore these disguised items while traveling from Colombia to the United States without declaring them at customs.
Two individuals who conspired with Cataloni have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing later this year.
The maximum penalties for money laundering conspiracy and international money laundering are up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $500,000 or twice the amount involved. The charge of conspiracy to smuggle goods carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. Customs & Border Protection; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Canton Police Department; and Walpole Police Department provided support during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian J. Sullivan and Samuel R. Feldman are prosecuting the case.
