He’s expected to be sentenced in Jan., 2017.
Baltimore, Md. (KM) A Baltimore man pleaded guilty on Monday in US District Court to interstate transportation of stolen goods. The US Attorney’s Office for Maryland say William Albert Engel, 40, conspired with Brian Nelson Halsey, 52, of Westminster, and others, to break into shopping mall kiosks and steal merchandise–mostly designer sunglasses–and sell them online.
Federal officials say Engel broke into the shopping malls between Oct. 7th, 2014 through Mar. 29th, 2016, and took the merchandise while Halsey sold the property online. The estimated loss from the thefts is $500,000.
Specifically, Engel broke into shopping malls in Cape Girardeau, Missouri., Fairview Heights, Illinois, Wilmington, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, Columbia and Florence, South Carolina.
In a statement, the US Attorney’s Office says law enforcement conducted a search of Halsey’s home on August 28th, 2015, and found more than $200,000 worth of stolen design sunglasses, along with a printing and labeling system, and a large number of documents related to the selling of the sunglasses through an online market.
Engel admitted that more than five people took part in this scheme, helping to package and ship the stolen sunglasses, and provided information to Halsey to set up bank and online accounts, and/or assisting Engel in the thefts.
The estimated loss from the thefts approximately $500,000, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
Engel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24th. He could get a maximum of ten years in prison. Engel will also be required to forfeit and pay a money judgment of $500,000. US District Court Judge Richard Bennett has scheduled sentencing for Jan. 24th, 2017 at 3:00 PM.
Halsey is expected to learn his fate on November 15th, 2016 at 3:00 PM. He previously pleaded guilty to his role in the theft scheme.
By Kevin McManus