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Table of Contents

Belleville Man Caught in Car Theft Scheme

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man has been caught in a multi-state car theft and fraud ring, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Eric Morgan, 34, of Belleville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to sell stolen vehicles through internet-based marketplaces, such as Craigslist and OfferUp.

According to court documents, Morgan engaged in the scheme from November 2016 to March 2019, selling more than 30 stolen vehicles, of which 29 were sold to unwitting buyers. The scheme involved targeting desirable vehicles, photographing them, and attaching GPS trackers to acquire a pattern-of-life of the original owner before stealing the vehicle. The stolen vehicles were then listed for sale on internet-based marketplaces.

On three occasions, Morgan met the purchasers and sold them the stolen cars while providing them with fraudulent motor vehicle registration and specially made car keys. The wire fraud counts that Morgan pleaded guilty to each carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense.

Morgan pleaded guilty to his participation in the sale of a 2010 Acura TSX through Craigslist on July 19, 2017, the sale of a 2015 Honda Accord through OfferUp on Nov. 23, 2018, and the sale of a 2016 Honda Accord through Craigslist on March 22, 2019.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2022. Morgan faces up to 60 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000 for his role in the car theft scheme. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious when buying cars online and the severe consequences of participating in such schemes.