Member of Crew Tied to 490 Catalytic Converter Thefts Pleads Guilty

A Springfield, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston last week to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 vehicles.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Santo Feliberty pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; conspiracy to commit bank theft; bank theft; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The firearm charge arises from a pistol and ammunition found during the search of Feliberty’s residence as part of the catalytic converter theft investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2024

Feliberty and six other men were arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses related to the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 490 vehicles during 2022 and 2023. The theft of a vehicle’s catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable until it is properly replaced.

According to prosecutors, Feliberty was a member of an organized crew that stole catalytic converters from at least 492 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. According to court documents, the crew was skilled and able to locate and cut away the catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute in most instances – often utilizing battery operated power-tools and car jacks. On numerous occasions, the defendants targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles, according to court records.

During the plea hearing, Feliberty admitted to participating in thefts of catalytic converters from 52 vehicles across eight cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Prosecutors allege that the crew was led by Rafael Davila, who they say engaged in catalytic converter thefts and burglaries on a full-time basis. Charges against Rafael Davila and others are pending and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, prosecutors said the crew would then sell them to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast – transacting approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week. On May 17, 2023, Torres pleaded guilty to his role in the catalytic converter theft conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14, 2023.

The scrap dealers have been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering in the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma.

In addition to the catalytic converter thefts, Feliberty pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal from ATMs of banks in Massachusetts on three separate occasions, allegedly using stolen trucks to rip the ATMs from the ground and gain access to the vault.

Feliberty also admitted to committing burglaries of two New Hampshire jewelry stores and the theft of a trailer.

U.S. Attorney Levy said more than 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to the investigation.