Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty To Transporting Stolen Electronics Across State Lines

Defendant broke into various Target stores with blow torch

BOSTON – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester in connection with transporting stolen electronics across state lines. The defendant broke into Target stores in Easton and Westborough, Mass., and in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Elijah Aiken, 36, of Allentown, Penn., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen goods. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 26, 2019.

From December 2014 until February 2015, Aiken conspired with others to break into numerous Target retail stores during early morning hours, usually by using portable blow torches to cut through the metal loading-dock doors at the rear of the stores. Once inside, Aiken and his co-conspirators stole electronic devices valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, including cellular phones and computer tablets. Aiken and his co-conspirator successfully burglarized Target stores in Easton and Westborough, Mass., as well as in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Aiken transported the stolen electronics across state lines in order to sell them to buyers in New York.

The charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods, provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution in an amount determined by the court. The charge of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution as determined by the court. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.