Factory Supervisor Accused of Stealing $1m of Precious Metals
March 25, 24
(IDEX Online) - A manufacturing supervisor at a US jewelry factory has been accused of stealing more than $1m of gold, silver and platinum over more than three years.
Benjamin Preacher, 54, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions related to thefts.
He's alleged to have used his position to steal precious metals from the facility in Rhode Island and then sell them to various businesses in Massachusetts.
The company is not named in court documents, but Preacher describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as a Lean Manufacturing Supervisor for Tiffany & Co. where he says he's worked since August 2018.
He's accused of selling precious metals to a Canton-based metals dealer roughly one to two times per month - with sales to that dealer alone totaling more than $1m, according to the US Attorney's Office.
It is alleged that Preacher's sales of stolen metals included $50,521 in 18-carat gold in March 2020; $21,821 in 18-carat gold, "Platinum scrap" and "Sterling" in April 2021; and $30,939 in platinum in January 2022.
It is also alleged that he also sold more than $177,000 in stolen precious metals to a separate metals dealer in West Bridgewater between on or about May 16, 2023 and Nov. 16, 2023, including gold sheets used by Preacher's employer in a particular machine, which Preacher allegedly stole and sold, along with other gold scrap, for nearly $21,000.
Preacher has been released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.
Pic courtesy US Attorney's Office