BRENTWOOD PAWNSHOP OWNER AND THREE CO-DEFENDANTS PLEAD GUILTY TO OPERATING AN ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT RING

Ringleader Ulloa is Expected to be Sentenced to Three to Nine Years in Prison, Forfeiture of $968,081 in Criminal Proceeds and In Excess of One Million in Stolen Goods, as well as Loss of Licenses and the Prohibition on Ulloa Re-Entering the Pawnshop Business After He is Released from Prison

Ulloa’s Corporations Also Pleaded Guilty and Will Be Dissolved  as a Condition of the Pleas

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Carlos Ulloa, Sandra Cruz, and Sandra Hinds each pleaded guilty to charges in  relation to the operation of a stolen property fencing operation using Ulloa’s Brentwood pawnshop.  In addition, John Parry pled guilty for his role as a “booster” of stolen goods for the fencing operation.

“In 2022, upon taking office, we were determined not to let organized retail theft take hold here as it has elsewhere. In Suffolk County, you cannot steal other people’s property without facing the consequences. Rather than just arresting the low-level boosters of stolen property, we followed them, conducted court-ordered wiretap monitoring, found the pawnshop where they were fencing the goods and went so far as to investigate where they were selling the stolen property online and seize the accounts along with the criminal proceeds,” said District Attorney Tierney.

“Thanks to our comprehensive investigation, we were able to bring Enterprise Corruption charges, which are more serious bail-eligible offenses, rather than simple larceny charges.  Now, with these guilty pleas, we have ensured upstate prison time for the ringleader and pawn shop owner Carlos Ulloa, jail time for all his associates, forfeiture of the stolen goods and criminal proceeds, loss of licenses, closure of these crooked businesses and the prohibition on Ulloa going back into the pawn business when he gets out of prison,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This is not the end. Anyone involved in organized retail theft in Suffolk County is on notice that we will find you, fully investigate you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. In Suffolk County, you cannot steal other people’s property without being held responsible for your actions.” 

Ulloa, 51, of Patchogue, the owner and operator of EZ Cash Pawn & Jewelry in Brentwood, pleaded guilty to one count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony, one count of Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.  Ulloa’s corporations, Ulloa Global LLC and Ulloa Commercial LLC, each pleaded guilty to Enterprise Corruption. 

Ulloa and his corporations forfeited a total of $968,081 in criminal proceeds, as well in excess of one million in stolen goods that were seized by the Suffolk County Police Department from EZ Cash Pawn & Jewelry, Ulloa’s home, and a warehouse he leased.  Seized stolen merchandise was located from retailers such as Burberry, Home Depot, Petco, and PetSmart.

Cruz, 24, of Patchogue, who managed employees at a warehouse where the stolen merchandise was stored, inventoried, photographed, and posted online for sale, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2023, to Attempted Enterprise Corruption, a Class C felony.

Hinds, 46, of Brentwood, who managed the employees of EZ Cash Pawn & Jewelry where the stolen merchandise was received from thieves, pleaded guilty on August 23, 2023, to Attempted Enterprise Corruption, a Class C felony. 

According to the investigation and the defendants’ allocutions during their guilty pleas, between May 14, 2020, through August 6, 2022, after Hinds and employees at the pawnshop received stolen merchandise from thieves, Ulloa and his associates then transported the stolen merchandise to his warehouse in Patchogue.  The stolen items were then stored, inventoried, photographed, and listed for sale online.  The selling of stolen items online generated a large sum of criminal proceeds for Ulloa.

Search warrants executed on August 6, 2022, at the pawnshop, the warehouse, and Ulloa’s residence, resulted in the seizure of brand-new stolen merchandise belonging to retailers throughout Suffolk County.  During the search of Ulloa’s residence, police also seized an unlicensed stolen handgun.

On September 11, 2023, during his plea hearing, Ulloa surrendered his Dealers in Second-Hand Articles License and Precious Metal/Gems License to the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing & Consumer Affairs. As a result, Ulloa will not be able to enter into any businesses involving pawn shops or purchasing second-hand articles for reselling.  Also, Ulloa was required to close his business known as EZ Cash Pawn & Jewelry and has already terminated his rental of the warehouse. 

This case was heard before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins. Ulloa faces an indeterminate sentence of three to nine years in prison when sentenced. Ulloa Global LLC, Ulloa Commercial LLC will be sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, 2023.  Ulloa and his corporations are represented by David Besso, Esq.

Both Cruz and Hinds will be sentenced to six months of incarceration followed by five years of probation. Cruz is represented by Daniel Sullivan, Esq.

Hinds is represented by George Duncan, Esq.  Both defendants are due back in court before Judge Collins for sentencing on December 8, 2023.

John Parry, a “booster” of stolen goods for the Ulloa Fencing Operation, pleaded guilty on February 15, 2023, in front of County Court Judge, the Honorable Philip Goglas, to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and entered an 18-month Judicial Diversion Program.  Parry is currently in the program.  If Parry is not successful, he faces an indeterminate sentence of 2 to 6 years in prison. At the time of sentencing, Parry is expected to be ordered to pay $14,540.81 in restitution to Home Depot.

Co-Defendant Henry Delgado, 41, of Patchogue, who allegedly laundered the proceeds of the sales of stolen merchandise in furtherance of the criminal enterprise was indicted in November 2022 on charges of Enterprise Corruption, Money Laundering in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree.  In addition, National Global Sales, Inc., which lists Delgado as its owner, has been indicted for charges of Enterprise Corruption and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree.  Charges as to Delgado and National Global Sales remain pending, and the next court date is September 15, 2023.  Delgado and his corporation are represented by William Keahon, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys James Bartens and Adriana Noyola of the Financial Crimes Bureau, with investigative assistance from Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.

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