Rochester Pawn Shop Ring Lands Two in Federal Prison

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A brazen retail theft operation that funneled over $1.1 million in stolen merchandise through a Rochester pawn shop has resulted in the sentencing of two key players. James Civiletti, 34, of Greece, NY, and Chad Lewis Jr., 20, also of Greece, NY, both received 14-month federal prison sentences, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today.

The scheme, operating between December 2021 and October 17, 2024, centered around the New York Gold Diamond Pawn Shop, owned by Dominic Sprague and managed by Civiletti. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi detailed how Lewis Jr. conspired with serial thieves Amanda Reeves and Shabon Banks to systematically pilfer new, boxed items from various retailers on a near-daily basis.

These stolen goods weren’t squirreled away; they were systematically dumped at the pawn shop for pennies on the dollar. The shop, with Civiletti at the helm, then flipped the stolen merchandise on eBay, raking in substantial profits. Authorities say the pawn shop purchased a staggering 37,936 stolen items – 670 separate transactions – paying the larcenists a mere $290,000.00 while victim retailers absorbed losses of approximately $1,160,000.00.

Civiletti was convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce. Lewis Jr. faced a conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The evidence painted a clear picture of a calculated operation, exploiting the retail system for illicit gain. While the sentences offer a measure of justice, the investigation is far from over.

Reeves, Banks, and Sprague have also been convicted and are currently awaiting their sentencing dates. Federal investigators from Homeland Security Investigations (Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan), the Internal Revenue Service (Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis), the Greece Police Department (Chief Michael Wood), and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Todd Baxter) collaborated on the complex case, bringing the operation to light.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of organized retail crime and the lengths to which criminals will go to profit from it. Grimy Times will continue to follow the sentencing of the remaining defendants and provide updates as this case unfolds. The damage to legitimate businesses and the erosion of public trust are significant, and accountability is paramount.

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