Nikitas Margiellos, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, New York 2014

A former leader of a Long Island burglary crew has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in committing approximately 45 burglaries in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, stealing over $8,000,000 in cash and property.

Nikitas Margiellos, 43, of West Babylon, New York, was sentenced by the Hon. Joseph F. Bianco to 10 years’ imprisonment, three years supervised release and ordered to pay $1,700,000 in restitution following his plea of guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property on August 19, 2014.

The burglaries, which took place between 2009 and 2012, were committed by a crew led by Margiellos, who participated in every one of the 45 burglaries. The crew used traditional burglary tools, such as blow torches, crowbars, wire cutters, and sledge hammers, as well as more modern technology, including cell phone jammers and police scanners, to commit the burglaries.

The crew also often conducted surveillance of their victims to determine when the homes and businesses would be unoccupied. On at least one occasion, crew members installed a tracking device on a victim’s car to assist in this endeavor.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Caffarone and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Whelan are in charge of the prosecution.

The sentencing was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Madeline Singas, Nassau County District Attorney; Diego Rodriguez, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; Thomas C. Krumpter, Acting Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department; Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York; and William J. Bratton, Commissioner, New York City Police Department.

Three additional co-defendants are awaiting sentencing.

Related Federal Cases