Pair charged with running a ‘fencing’ operation for high-priced goods in Diamond District

Good fences don’t always make good neighbors

February 5, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The U.S. Eastern District of New York’s Brooklyn courthouse. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

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CADMAN PLAZA EAST — On Wednesday at Brooklyn Federal Court, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar were charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property that traveled across state lines. They will be arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi.

The indictment charges that between approximately 2020 and 2025, the defendants conspired with others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags and assorted luxury items that had been stolen outside the state of New York and transported in. Nezhinskiy and Villar allegedly served as “fences” for burglary crews based out of South America who traveled around the United States committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods or jewelry vendors and stealing luxury accessories.

For example, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, evidence links Nezhinskiy and Villar to thefts around the country, including crimes committed by Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado, a prolific burglar who committed at least 16 residential burglaries across the U.S. between 2019 and 2020. Phone records and video surveillance also link Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man burglary crew believed to be involved in the Dec. 9, 2024, burglary of a high-profile athlete in Ohio.

In addition, between October 2022 and January 2024, an undercover detective conducted seven controlled sales of purported stolen property, including high-end handbags and luxury accessories, to Nezhinskiy, Villar or both, at their business location in Manhattan’s Diamond District, the indictment charges. During these controlled sales, the undercover detective received cash in exchange for the stolen goods.

Recently, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the location on 47th Street in Manhattan where Nezhinskiy and Villar operate a pawnshop and seized large quantities of suspected stolen property, including dozens of high-end watches and jewelry. Law enforcement also recovered large quantities of cash and marijuana. At the same time, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey, where more suspected stolen property was found, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

John J. Durham, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James E. Dennehy, assistant director in charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; Jessica S. Tisch, commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Patrick J. Ryder, commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) announced the charges.

“As alleged, the defendants created an illicit market and fueled demand for burglaries by South American theft groups and other crews around the country by purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other luxury items and then reselling them in their New York City store,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “My office will continue to pursue organized groups who engage, enable, or encourage the pillaging of residential homes and businesses that has a corrosive effect on the sense of security in our communities.”

“The defendants’ alleged actions incentivized highly organized South American theft groups to continue their meticulous looting scheme against a myriad of affluent residences and businesses across the country. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to dismantle any criminal activity curated to capitalize on victims’ losses and establish an economic demand for ill-obtained merchandise within our city,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.

“We will not tolerate crime of any kind in New York, whether it be street crime, retail theft or these organized operations that target residential homes to steal and resell luxury goods,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Today’s indictment is the result of our strong work with our law enforcement partners and our commitment to cracking down on these crime rings that threaten our communities.”