Federal prosecutors say the group carried out a calculated campaign of theft that moved beyond petty crime into an organized, interstate operation. Investigators linked at least twenty residences to the conspiracy, and they describe a team that planned, surveilled and executed burglaries with logistical precision.
The government charged seven defendants; six have pleaded guilty and received prison terms while one remains at large. The court record lists the sentences for six individuals and ties them directly to charges like interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to transport stolen property.
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John Quintero-Herrera, age 29, was sentenced to 70 months for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property.
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Iesua Ramirez-Perez, age 26, was sentenced to 39 months for Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Property
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Ivan Chaparro-Perez, age 31, was sentenced to 42 months for Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Property
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William Villarraga-Joya, age 33, was sentenced to 90 months for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property
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Paul Mendoza-Arevalo, age 39, was sentenced to 48 months for Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Property
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Wendy Acosta-Arevalo, age 31, was sentenced to 24 months for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property
Prosecutors say John Sebastian Quintero-Herrera led the ring, coordinating hits across state lines and directing co-conspirators who were all in the country illegally. Quintero-Herrera ultimately pled guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property and was the last to be sentenced, while one alleged participant has so far evaded custody.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey blasted the scheme and tied it to broader border failures. “This case represents another example of why we are so alarmed by illegal immigration into the United States. When these people sneaked into our country, they weren’t looking for a chance to get a job. Their idea of a better life was to set up a burglary operation targeting the homes of people all over the United States. These professional burglars made over $1,500,000 breaking into people’s homes, but perhaps the most precious thing they stole from their victims was their sense of security and safety. I salute law enforcement’s ability to track down and stop these people men, but the fact remains that they should never have been allowed inside our borders to do this.”
The presiding judge made clear the court saw more than garden-variety theft. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Beckering said she was dismayed by the large-scale operation. She described the defendants’ sophisticated operation as “Ocean’s Eleven-style conduct” while being “downright cruel.” When describing how Quintero-Herrera and his co-defendants behaved, Judge Beckering described the burglaries as leaving behind “ransacked houses” producing a “bone-chilling” effect on homeowners.
Investigators detail a methodical approach: targets were selected after surveillance of small business owners believed to keep cash or valuables at home. The conspirators used cameras and GPS trackers to watch movements, sometimes cutting power before breaking in, then ransacking homes and taking cash, jewelry, luxury brand purses and shoes, family heirlooms, and personal documents like passports and mortgage paperwork.
Homes were often left trashed, with mattresses slashed and belongings strewn about, while proceeds fueled drugs, nightclubs and travel. Authorities say the ring netted more than $1,500,000 in stolen property and that the stolen funds were quickly spent on luxury and lifestyle expenses. “The defendants’ actions were calculated, invasive, and left lasting harm on their victims,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “HSI is actively targeting South American theft groups that operate sophisticated, multi-state burglary rings like this one, and we are working tirelessly to disrupt their networks and hold them accountable. Through coordinated efforts across multiple states, we were able to bring those responsible to justice and restore a sense of security to the affected communities.”
The investigation relied on cooperation from a long list of local and state agencies across the country, with federal partners stepping in to coordinate the interstate work. Agencies involved include the Dearborn (Michigan) Police Department; Greer (South Carolina) Police Department; Union County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Office; Anderson County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office; Anniston (Alabama) Police Department; Foxborough (Massachusetts) Police Department; Broken Arrow (Oklahoma) Police Department; Hoover (Alabama) Police Department; Spartanburg County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office; Worcester (Massachusetts) Police Department; Dracut (Massachusetts) Police Department; Farmington Hills (Michigan) Police Department; Mason (Ohio) Police Department; Alexandria (Kentucky) Police Department; Franklin (Wisconsin) Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Investigations; Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Department; Flint Township (Michigan) Police Department; and the Kent County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office. Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security were involved from the federal side, and officials say the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice addressing illegal immigration and transnational criminal networks.
