Mocobizscene- U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger has made a significant move against vehicle theft and fraud by announcing charges against four individuals involved in a complex conspiracy related to stolen vehicles.
The accused individuals are Nathaniel Bell, also known as “David Jones,” from Linden, New Jersey; Johnathan Tanksley from Orange, New Jersey; L’Hubermane Felix from Miami, Florida; and Dayanna Sarango-Hidalgo from Newark, New Jersey. They are facing allegations of conspiring to receive, retitle, and fraudulently sell vehicles with tampered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) in multiple states.
Bell is now facing additional charges for tampering with or removing motor vehicle identification numbers (VIN) on five counts. Additionally, they have been charged with one count of transporting stolen vehicles, shedding light on the gravity of their alleged criminal activities. The accused recently had their first court appearances in Newark federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judges Jessica S. Allen and Edward S. Kiel, marking the beginning of the legal proceedings.
According to court documents and statements, the conspiracy revolved around obtaining stolen vehicles from various states, such as New Jersey, New York, and Florida. The defendants would then obtain fraudulent titles for these vehicles and modify their VINs to conceal their stolen nature.
Subsequently, they would sell these vehicles to unsuspecting dealerships and individual buyers, ultimately profiting from their illegal activities. In a bold and audacious move, it is alleged that the group even employed Apple AirTags to locate and repossess a stolen vehicle they had previously sold to a buyer, with the intention of reselling it again.
If found guilty of the conspiracy charge, each defendant could potentially be sentenced to five years in prison. Notably, Bell may face up to five years for each count of VIN alteration and a maximum of ten years for transporting a stolen vehicle, highlighting the severe legal consequences that the accused individuals may face.
The FBI, led by Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, worked together with various law enforcement and regulatory agencies across multiple states to conduct a thorough investigation that resulted in these charges. This collaborative effort highlights the dedication of federal and state authorities in combating auto theft and related fraud. It also emphasizes the significance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling sophisticated criminal enterprises.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Thompson, from the General Crimes Unit in Newark, is currently representing the government in this ongoing case. It is important to keep in mind that, at this stage, the charges and allegations against the defendants are only accusations. In a court of law, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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