A manufacturing supervisor at a luxury jewelry company has been sentenced for stealing over $1.7 million in gold, silver, and platinum from his employer.
The Sentence
Benjamin Preacher, who served as a manufacturing supervisor at Tiffany & Co.’s Rhode Island facility since 2018, was sentenced to 59 days in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley. Following his prison term, Preacher will serve:
- Two years of supervised release, including 10 months of home confinement.
- 200 hours of community service.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office had recommended a much harsher sentence of 30 months in prison.
How the Theft Was Carried Out
Using his position to oversee the production and security of high-end jewelry, Preacher stole scrap precious metals from the manufacturing process. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he transported these stolen metals into Massachusetts, where he sold them to various businesses.
In June 2024, Preacher pleaded guilty to charges of:
- Interstate transportation of stolen goods.
- Engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.