Date: January 19, 2022 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Rochester, NY — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Devin Tribunella of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that Tribunella owned and operated Royal Crown Pawn & Jewelry on Dewey Avenue in Rochester. Tribunella and his employee, Wade Shadders, purchased stolen goods and merchandise from individuals, commonly referred to as "boosters," who shoplifted the goods and merchandise from Rochester area retail stores. Tribunella routinely advised the boosters what type of merchandise to steal from the retail stores, such as Lowes, Home Depot, Target, and Walmart, and then paid the boosters a fraction of the true retail value for the goods. Tribunella listed the stolen goods for sale on eBay, advertising the goods as "New" or "New-In-Box" and priced below retail value. Between January 2017, and November 2019, Tribunella sold and shipped (or caused to be shipped) approximately $3,248,426 worth of those stolen goods to buyers located outside of New York State. As part of his plea, Tribunella will forfeit over $200,000 cash, four luxury vehicles, and will be required to pay a $1,600,000 money judgement. Wade Shadders was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief David Smith; the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood; and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2022, before Judge Siragusa.
