North Attleboro man charged with money laundering related to alleged precious metals thefts | Local News

Preacher allegedly stole gold, silver and platinum from the manufacturing facility where he worked full-time since 2018. The company makes and sells luxury items, including jewelry made from the precious metals, according to court records.

Preacher allegedly sold precious metals to a Canton-based metals dealer roughly one to two times a month from March 2020 to March 2023 for sales totaling more than $1 million, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

It is alleged that Preacher’s sales of stolen metals included $50,521 in 18-carat gold in March 2020; $21,821 in 18-carat gold, “Platinum scrap” and “Sterling” in April 2021; and $30,939 in platinum in January 2022.

Preacher also allegedly sold more than $177,000 in stolen precious metals to a different metals dealer in West Bridgewater from May to November 2023.

The metals included gold sheets used by Preacher’s employer in a particular machine, which Preacher allegedly stole and sold, along with other gold scrap, for nearly $21,000, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

About 30 minutes into his shift earlier this month, Preacher was allegedly captured on company security cameras stealing a piece of white gold “flat stock,” measuring about an inch in diameter and as thick as a quarter, which was valued at roughly $2,200.

The name of the company was not disclosed by authorities. However, on a LinkedIn page listed in his name, Preacher says since 2018 he was employed at Tiffany & Co. in Cumberland as a third-shift supervisor overseeing and managing production of high-end jewelry.

A human resources manager at the company said she could not comment on the case and referred questions to the company’s corporate office. The Sun Chronicle emailed the company’s corporate office in New York.

When Preacher was arrested Thursday, authorities say they seized precious metal in scrap form during a search of his home.

In an affidavit, a special agent with the IRS criminal investigations unit said Preacher allegedly admitted to the thefts when confronted by his employer.

The Sun Chronicle called and emailed his lawyer but did not receive an immediate response.

If convicted, Preacher faces up to 10 years in prison, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

The case was investigated by the IRS.