Crime

Luxury jewelry company supervisor sentenced for stealing precious metals

North Attleboro resident Benjamin Preacher was sentenced to 59 days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, prosecutors said.

Some of the recovered stolen metals. Photo Courtesy of United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy's Office

December 4, 2024

1 minute to read

A luxury jewelry company employee was sentenced on Wednesday for stealing more than $1.7 million in precious metals, prosecutors said.

Benjamin Preacher, of North Attleboro, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and one count of “engaging in unlawful monetary transactions,” United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy’s office said in a statement.

Judge Angel Kelley sentenced Preacher, 54, to 59 days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, the statement said. In addition, prosecutors said Preacher must complete 10 months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service. According to Levy’s office, he must also forfeit $1,267,093.

Preacher worked as a manufacturing supervisor at a Rhode Island company that sells luxury items and jewelry made from gold, silver, and platinum, Levy’s office said. Preacher, 54, worked at the company from 2018 until 2024, the statement said.

He would then take the stolen metals into Massachusetts and sell them off, Levy’s office said.

“Preacher used his position overseeing the production and security of high-end jewelry to steal scrap precious metals from the company’s facility in Rhode Island,” Levy’s office said.

Representation for Preacher called the sentencing a “full, fair, and individualized assessment” in a statement to Boston.com.

“Certainly, the sentence has punitive components including incarceration, home confinement, supervised release, community service, and significant financial obligations.” Preacher’s representation said. “Mr. Preacher is taking full responsibility for his conduct and looks forward to continuing to support his family.”