New Haven Man Admits Role in Large-Scale Fencing Operation, Resulting in $3.9 Million in Losses
A New Haven man has pleaded guilty to his role in a large-scale fencing operation that resulted in retailers losing over $3.9 million. Andrew Sacco, 44, of New Haven and formerly of Durham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transport of stolen property and interstate transport of stolen property.
According to court documents, between January 2012 and December 2014, Sacco participated in a conspiracy to purchase stolen property from ‘boosters,’ who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions, and then resold the property at online websites. Sacco, his co-conspirator Matthew Harwood, and others instructed the boosters to steal certain items from retail stores such as Petco, Staples, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond, and paid cash for the stolen items at approximately one-third of their retail price.
After receiving the stolen merchandise, Sacco and Harwood stored the merchandise at multiple locations, including Sacco’s former residence in Durham and business locations in North Haven. Sacco and Harwood then sold the stolen products at online sites, including eBay and Amazon.
Sacco pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Sacco has been released on a $100,000 bond since his arrest on July 15, 2016.
Judge Michael P. Shea has scheduled sentencing for September 13, 2017.
Sacco’s co-conspirator, Matthew Harwood, pleaded guilty to the same charges on November 3, 2016, and awaits sentencing.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut Department of Correction, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the New Haven, North Haven, Milford, West Haven, Wallingford, Hamden, and Orange Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and John T. Pierpont, Jr. The investigation resulted in the loss of over $3.9 million for retailers.
Defendant’s Information:
Defendant: Andrew Sacco, 44, New Haven and formerly of Durham
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit interstate transport of stolen property and interstate transport of stolen property
City and State: New Haven, Connecticut
Arrest Date: July 15, 2016
Sentence/Outcome: Scheduled sentencing for September 13, 2017
Amount of Loss: Over $3.9 million
Related Federal Cases
- Matthew Harwood, Interstate Transport of Stolen Property, Connecticut 2024 · Colorado
- Javan Smith, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, New Jersey 2014 · Florida
- Alexander Bergen, Interstate Transportation of Money Obtained by Fraud, Connecticut 2016 · Rhode Island
- Daniel E. Carpenter, Illegal Sentence, Connecticut 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Deborah Miller, Crack Cocaine Distribution, Connecticut 2015 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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