Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Thomas Cataloni, a resident of Walpole, was sentenced on April 15 in federal court in Boston to four months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to smuggle gold, platinum, and other precious metals from Colombia into the United States and launder the proceeds. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris also ordered one year of supervised release following his conviction earlier this year.
Cataloni was found guilty in January of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, international money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stemmed from activities that took place in 2018 when Cataloni and co-conspirators sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to Colombian bank accounts as payment for gold and platinum that were then illegally brought into the country without declaration at customs.
According to court documents, the precious metals were melted down in Colombia and shaped into crude jewelry such as chains, keychains, or purse straps. Individuals wore these items while flying from Colombia into the United States without declaring them at customs checkpoints. Two co-conspirators have pleaded guilty; one has already been sentenced this year while another awaits sentencing.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said her office prosecuted the case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations New England; Customs & Border Protection; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Canton Police Department; and Walpole Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian J. Sullivan and Samuel R. Feldman handled prosecution efforts.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts advances community initiatives on civil rights and violence prevention according to its official website. The office maintains facilities at the John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website. It is part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website.
Employing over 200 attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff according to its official website, the office enforces federal laws through prosecutions including national security threats and civil rights violations according to its official website. It serves all residents across Massachusetts according to its official website.
The office handles both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation on behalf of the United States government throughout Massachusetts while promoting public safety since its founding in 1789 as one of America's earliest such entities according to its official website.
