Goose Creek Man Sentenced for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Goods

Contact Person: Rhett DeHart (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Eugene Jones, age 60, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstate Commerce, a violation of 18  U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2314.  United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Jones to 36 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release.

Evidence presented in this case establ ished that from at least 2007 through 2012, Eugene Jones led a conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce via the Internet.  It was part of the conspiracy thatJones owned and operated Patriot Pawn in North Charleston, S.C.  Jonesrecruited dozens of persons to steal merchandise from retail stores including Lowes, Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Belk, K-Mart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Best Buy.  Jones suggested to his co-conspirators to steal specific merchandise, including computer software, calculators, tool kits, electronic devices, and kitchen appliances. 

After stealing goods from area stores,the co-conspiratorstook the stolen goods to Patriot Pawn, where Jones and his employeesbought the stolen goods for far less than retail value, knowing the goods were stolen or obtained by fraud.  Jones,with the assistance ofothers, sold the stolen goods on eBay, an Internet auction and shopping site.

Jones sold the stolen goods in transported in interstate commerce from South Carolina to buyers in other States, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and California.  During the conspiracy, approximately $1 million in stolen goods were sold on eBay and transported in interstate commerce, and Jones divided these illegal proceeds between himself and his co-conspirators.

The case was investigated by agents of the Secret Service and the North Charleston Police Departure.  Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.