BOSTON, MA – A Springfield man has pleaded guilty to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 vehicles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Santo Feliberty, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, conspiracy to commit bank theft, bank theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in federal court in Boston yesterday.
The crew, led by Rafael Davila, stole catalytic converters from at least 492 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. The thefts resulted in damage that rendered the vehicles inoperable, both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations, until properly replaced.
Feliberty admitted to participating in thefts of catalytic converters from 52 vehicles across eight cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The crew would then sell the stolen catalytic converters to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast, transacting approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week.
Additionally, Feliberty pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal from ATMs of federally insured banks in Massachusetts on three separate occasions in December 2022. He also admitted to committing burglaries of two New Hampshire jewelry stores.
U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for January 31, 2024.
The theft of catalytic converters has become a nationwide problem due to the high-valued precious metals they contain. Black-market prices for these metals can reach over $1,000 each, making them a lucrative target for thieves.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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