Benjamin Preacher, a 54-year-old manufacturing supervisor from North Attleboro, was arrested and charged with money laundering following allegations of stealing gold, silver, and platinum from a luxury jewelry company over a span of more than three years.
Preacher, accused of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, was released under conditions after appearing in federal court in Boston. Court documents reveal that since 2018, Preacher held a supervisory role at a Rhode Island manufacturing facility owned by the jewelry company, utilizing his position to pilfer precious metals and subsequently sell them to businesses in Massachusetts.
The charging documents detail Preacher’s alleged illicit activities, including frequent sales of stolen metals to various dealers, amounting to over $1 million. His thefts reportedly involved significant amounts of gold, platinum, and silver, including specific instances such as the sale of gold sheets used by his employer for approximately $21,000.
On March 1, 2024, Preacher was purportedly captured on company security cameras stealing a piece of white gold, leading to his arrest. Law enforcement officers discovered scraps of precious metals during a search of Preacher’s residence on March 14, 2024.
The charge of unlawful monetary transactions carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the laundered funds. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and IRS Criminal Investigation’s Harry Chavis, Jr. announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil is prosecuting the case.
It’s important to note that the details in the charging documents are allegations, and Preacher is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.