Stolen luxury items displayed at a pawn shop, highlighting the trafficking of stolen goods.
Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, the owner of a Manhattan pawn shop, has pleaded guilty to receiving stolen luxury goods including items from high-profile athletes. He faces a maximum of five years in prison and potential deportation. His co-owner also pleaded guilty, and the duo is linked to a larger network stealing from affluent residences. The case raises concerns about the trafficking of stolen luxury goods as authorities increase scrutiny on pawn shops in relation to organized crime.
Brooklyn, NY – Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, the owner of a Manhattan pawn shop, has pleaded guilty to receiving stolen luxury items, including valuables from prominent athletes such as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The plea occurred on Friday at a federal court in Brooklyn, where Nezhinskiy admitted to knowing that the watches, jewelry, and high-end goods he purchased were stolen.
Despite his admission of guilt, Nezhinskiy maintained that he was unaware of the stolen nature of the items until after his arrest. He expressed remorse during the proceedings, emphasizing that the majority of his business transactions were legitimate. Nezhinskiy has been charged with one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property and faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Additionally, he is liable for restitution and forfeiture of over $2.5 million. Sentencing for Nezhinskiy has yet to be scheduled.
The case against Nezhinskiy escalates concerns regarding the trafficking of stolen luxury goods, particularly those stolen from affluent residences across the United States. U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz highlighted that Nezhinskiy, who holds legal status in the country, may also face the risk of deportation following his sentencing.
Nezhinskiy is not facing these charges alone; his co-owner, Juan Villar, pleaded guilty to the same charge last month. Together, they operated the pawn shop located in Manhattan’s Diamond District. Prosecutors indicated that from 2020 until February 2025, the duo actively participated in acquiring stolen luxury items from various international burglary crews.
The predominantly targeted homes included those of well-known figures in sports, such as NFL player Patrick Mahomes and NBA player Luka Doncic, often while these athletes were away. Investigations have linked Nezhinskiy to phone records indicating communication with the crew involved in the burglary of Burrow’s residence.
The burglary of Burrow’s home took place on December 9, 2024, while the quarterback was playing an away game in Dallas. The situation was reported by Sports Illustrated model Olivia Ponton, who discovered the home in disarray. Following the burglary, authorities apprehended suspects found in possession of items believed to belong to Burrow.
The investigation into the shop has led to multiple arrests, revealing a network of at least six individuals connected to the burglary operations in question. Prosecutors allege that Nezhinskiy and Villar established a black-market pipeline for luxury goods procured through organized theft, essentially incentivizing South American Theft Groups to target more affluent properties over the past five years.
A significant quantity of suspected stolen property has been recovered from Nezhinskiy’s pawn shop and his storage units located in New Jersey. Items seized during the investigation included luxury handbags, high-end jewelry, expensive wine, sports memorabilia, and burglary tools. The breadth of the operation underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized crime targeting wealthy individuals.
As Nezhinskiy awaits sentencing, the case highlights the vulnerabilities of affluent communities to burglary and theft. The cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agents has resulted in increased scrutiny of pawn shops as potential facilitators of the stolen property trade, pushing for more stringent regulations in an effort to protect victims of such crimes.
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