Seymore Admits Role in ‘Steals & Deals’ Laundering Ring

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A key player in a brazen money laundering operation disguised as a legitimate business has confessed to federal crimes. Jason A. Seymore, 41, of Cresson, Pa., pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson today to a charge of conspiring to commit money laundering. The case shines a light on the dark underbelly of resale operations and how easily stolen goods can flood the market.

The scheme centered around Gary’s Steals and Deals, a Portage, Pennsylvania business owned and operated by Gary and Tonia Vaughn. Seymore served as a clerk, knowingly participating in the store’s illicit activities. Instead of legitimate transactions, the store functioned as a front for fencing stolen merchandise. “Customers” routinely walked in with new, boxed items – clearly pilfered from local retailers – and offered them for sale to Gary’s Steals and Deals.

Seymore and other employees weren’t fooled. They *knew* the goods were stolen. Yet, they routinely purchased the items, handing over a percentage of their retail value to the thieves. The operation wasn’t dealing in unique items; the vast majority of transactions involved dozens of identical, “new in package” goods brought in on the same day or in quick succession. Items included razor blades, pet products, teeth whitening strips, ink cartridges, jackets, and even Lego sets. This wasn’t a few opportunistic shoplifters; this was a steady supply chain.

The stolen merchandise wasn’t destined for local shelves. Gary’s Steals and Deals then listed the goods for sale on online marketplaces like Ebay and Amazon. Once sold, the stolen items were shipped to unsuspecting buyers across the country via the U.S. mail. The profits generated from these online sales weren’t reinvested in legitimate business practices. Instead, the money was used to purchase *more* stolen goods from the constant stream of “customers” or directly pocketed by the employees involved.

Judge Gibson has scheduled Seymore’s sentencing for August 1, 2017, at 10 a.m. He faces a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. The actual sentence will be determined based on the severity of the crime and Seymore’s criminal history. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is leading the prosecution.

The investigation that brought Seymore to justice was a joint effort by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly innocuous businesses can be used to facilitate serious criminal activity, and that federal agencies are actively working to dismantle these operations and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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