XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, mn.politics, misc.phone.mobile.iphone   
   XPost: talk.politics.guns, sac.politics   
   From: democrat-pussy@minnesota.guv   
      
   The leader of a "cell phone theft ring" in downtown Minneapolis has pleaded   
   guilty.   
      
   Aaron Tracey Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty to racketeering in Hennepin County   
   Court Thursday. He is facing almost eight years in prison.   
      
   According to the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, Johnson   
   admitted to taking part in the theft ring and implicated other top members in   
   his plea. In total, 12 people have been charged in connection to the scheme.   
      
   Between June 2021 and May 2022, the 12 members allegedly stole cell phones   
   from victims, who were often intoxicated people in downtown Minneapolis at bar   
   close, according to criminal complaints.   
      
   The members would then transfer funds from the victims’ phones to accounts   
   associated with the scheme, often using applications like Venmo, Zelle, and   
   Coinbase.   
      
   In some cases, members would approach victims in a "friendly manner" and ask   
   for their phone so that they could add the victim on social media. The members   
   would make sure the victim had unlocked their phone before taking it.   
      
   The phones would then be funneled to one member, who would then sell them both   
   locally and internationally. Almost 50 phone shipments were sent to Hong Kong   
   as part of the scheme, while another 30 were sent to a Minneapolis hotpot   
   restaurant.   
      
   The scheme resulted in almost $160,000 in actual cash being stolen, along with   
   more than $85,000 in cryptocurrency.   
      
   The value of the stolen phones is estimated to be $25,267.   
      
   Johnson’s sentencing is set for Tuesday. His plea agreement calls for him to   
   be sentenced to 94 months in prison.   
      
   "People have to feel and be safe in our county," Moriarty said in a statement.   
      
   “This sophisticated operation targeted unsuspecting victims enjoying a night   
   out and contributed to instilling a culture of fear that threatens the   
   vibrancy of our community."   
      
   https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/leader-in-downtown-min   
   eapolis-cell-phone-theft-ring-pleads-guilty   
      
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