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Press Release

Pennsylvania Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Stealing More Than $480,000 As Part Of Interstate Burglary Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – A Lancaster, Pennsylvania, man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a string of commercial burglaries in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman announced. 

Jose Medina, 40, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce and one count of transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce. Judge Cooper imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Jose Medina admitted that from October 2012 through August 2014, he conspired with his brother, Eliezer Medina, 38, of Ronks, Pennsylvania, and others to steal money by burglarizing stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, and thereafter transporting the stolen money across state lines.

The conspiracy involved at least 22 burglaries and caused over $480,000 in losses. When committing the burglaries, the conspirators would typically scout the target store in advance, disable the alarm system, and use pry-bars, electrical saws, and other tools to gain access to the stores and safes.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cooper sentenced Jose Medina to two years of supervised release. He must also forfeit $487,364.44.

Eliezer Medina previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2015 to 30 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, and special agents of the FBI in Philadelphia, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Paramus, New Jersey; Wayne, New Jersey; and Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, police departments; the N.J. State Police; and the Lancaster City, Pennsylvania; East Lampert, Pennsylvania; Manor Township, Pennsylvania; Manheim Township, Pennsylvania; and East Hempfield, Pennsylvania, police departments for their work on the case.

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

Defense counsel:  Angelo Servidio, Esq.

Updated December 5, 2016

Press Release Number: 16-341