Dimitriy Nezhinskiy was sentenced on Apr. 23 in federal court in Brooklyn to 46 months in prison for conspiring to receive stolen property transported across state lines. United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II also ordered Nezhinskiy to forfeit $2,500,000, with restitution to be determined later. Nezhinskiy and his co-defendant Juan Villar had pleaded guilty in July 2025; Villar received the same sentence earlier this year.
The sentencing highlights efforts by law enforcement to address large-scale operations that encourage theft and trafficking of stolen goods nationwide. According to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the office supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts according to the official website.
"Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar used the cover of their Diamond District store to encourage, coordinate, and profit from theft groups conducting burglaries nationwide," said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. "The defendants tried to make a quick buck by buying stolen valuables from transnational criminals, and in doing so, bought themselves lengthy prison sentences." FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle said: "Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar facilitated the sale of stolen goods obtained from criminals for profit. The goods stolen came from across the United States, impacting victims nationwide. The FBI and its partners have worked diligently to bring charges against these two individuals for their unlawful activity." Nassau County Police Department Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder added: "What started with criminals trying to commit burglaries in Nassau County has now ended in multiple arrests and guilty pleas; including these defendants... Today, that accountability came." NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch stated: "For years, the defendant participated in a large-scale transnational operation of brazen burglaries... we have shut down this enterprise, and this sentencing ensures those responsible are being held accountable.”
Nezhinskiy and Villar acted as fences for burglary crews mainly composed of foreign nationals who traveled throughout the United States committing burglaries—often targeting affluent neighborhoods or jewelry vendors—and selling luxury items such as jewelry, watches, handbags through their Diamond District business.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County as indicated on its official website, with offices located both in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website. The office handles federal crime prosecutions as well as civil matters representation according to its official website. Breon Peace is noted as leading this office as stated on its official site, which serves as the designated federal prosecutor's office for this district according to its official website.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Maffei, Katherine P. Onyshko and Sean M. Sherman prosecuted this case with support regarding forfeiture matters provided by Special Assistant United States Attorney Marsalla M. King.
