Press Release
Hoover Brothers Sentenced for Selling Stolen Goods Online
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two Hoover brothers have been sentenced for running an online fencing scheme that resulted in the sale of over $1 million worth of stolen goods, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis. U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala sentenced Abdurrahman Amar, 32, to 34 months in prison and Yahya Amar, 33, to 30 months in prison. In August and September 2024, the Amars pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to engage in the interstate transportation of stolen goods. According to the Amars’ plea agreements, from January 2022 through December 2023, Abdurrahman Amar organized and led a network of “boosters”— professional thieves. The boosters regularly offered the Amars various new and unopened goods for purchase, especially personal electronic devices and tools. The Amars knew that the boosters obtained these goods by stealing them from various retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. After purchasing the goods from the boosters at a steep discount from their retail value, the Amars listed the goods for re-sale on various online platforms—primarily eBay and Facebook—at prices that included a markup from the boosters’ prices but that were still well below the stolen goods’ retail value. Over the course of the conspiracy, the Amars completed approximately 7,283 separate sales of stolen goods on eBay, resulting in total revenue of approximately $1,014,191.44. After selling the stolen goods online, the Amars shipped the stolen goods to customers located throughout the United States and internationally. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich prosecuted the case. ###
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Updated January 30, 2025
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