James Hurt Sentenced for Burglary Targeting Asian Businesses

Newark, N.J. – James Hurt, a 48-year-old from New York City, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for his role in a coordinated effort to target Asian and Asian-American small business owners across the northeastern United States.

Hurt, who pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. The sentencing took place in Newark federal court, where Hurt admitted to participating in a series of burglaries committed from December 2, 2016, through March 20, 2019.

According to court documents and statements made during the trial, Hurt and his accomplices broke into homes of small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, stealing large sums of money, valuable jewelry, and other items. The stolen goods were then transported across state lines, including to residences in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In addition to the prison term, Hurt has been sentenced to three years of supervised release following his release from custody. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger acknowledged the efforts of FBI Newark’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, led by Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, for their role in the investigation that led to the sentencing.

Sellinger also expressed gratitude towards numerous law enforcement agencies involved in the case, including local police departments from across multiple states and federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Labor and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The government’s case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dong Joo Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

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