Brooklyn, New York, Man Sentenced To One Year In Prison For Role In Multi-State $3.4 Million Burglary Spree

NEWARK, N.J. – A Brooklyn, New York, man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison on multiple counts in connection with a multimillion-dollar, multi-state burglary spree, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Anthony “T.J.” Hanks, 37, was convicted in November 2015 of one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce and three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; his cousin, Daniel “Tokyo” Gatson, 44, was also convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce and 11 counts of interstate transportation of stolen property. They were convicted following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

The conspiracy, led by Gatson, was responsible for 27 burglaries and attempted burglaries in six states, stealing $3.4 million in cash and valuables.

Typically, Hanks, Gatson and others would identify homes in affluent residential neighborhoods and conduct surveillance of the target residences, looking for indications that no one was home.

Before robbing a target residence, they would cut wires running to and from the residence, including phone, cable, and alarm connections. Then, while wearing masks and gloves, they would forcibly break in to the target residence, usually by smashing through the front door, while a getaway driver remained nearby in a rented minivan, often maintaining contact with one of the burglars inside the target residence by cell phone.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martini sentenced Hanks to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2.1 million in restitution. Gatson was sentenced in June 2016 to 25 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty verdicts.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Hafetz of the Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel:

Hanks: Peter S. Gordon Esq., Forest Hills, New York

Gatson: Michael Pedicini Esq., Chatham, New Jersey