On March 1, 2024 security cameras at a luxury jewelry company in Rhode Island caught an employee stealing precious metals from the facility. That employee was Benjamin Preacher, 54, of North Attleboro.
Soon thereafter law enforcement searched Preacher’s house in Massachusetts and found precious metal in scrap form. Further investigation discovered that Preacher had stolen more than a million dollars worth of gold, silver, and platinum from his employer. He then sold the material to multiple metal dealers within the region.
According to a press release published today by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office:
Specifically, from in or about March 2020 to March 2023, Preacher sold precious metals to a Canton-based metals dealer roughly one to two times per month – with sales to that dealer alone totaling more than $1 million. Preacher’s sales of stolen metals included $50,521 in 18-carat gold in March 2020; $21,821 in 18-carat gold, “platinum scrap” and “sterling” in April 2021; and $30,939 in platinum in January 2022. Preacher also sold more than $177,000 in stolen precious metals to a separate metals dealer in West Bridgewater between on or about May 16, 2023 and Nov. 16, 2023. This included gold sheets used by Preacher’s employer, which Preacher stole and sold, along with other gold scrap, for nearly $21,000.
He was arrested on March 14, 2024. Today he pleaded guilty in Boston’s federal court to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2024. Preacher could get up to ten years in prison for each count.