Seven people involved in a sophisticated multi-state burglary ring have been sentenced to years behind prison bars after stealing more than $1.5 million from homes across the United States, including one in the Flint area.

The ring's leader, John Sebastian Quintero-Herrera, a 29-year-old Colombian national, received a sentence of 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property. He was the last of the group to be sentenced.

All seven defendants were operating in the United States illegally.

The operation spanned across much of the United States and involved 20 homes. Quintero-Herrera and his group would identify small business owners whom they suspected stored large amounts of cash and other valuables in their homes. They then used GPS trackers to monitor their targets' movements and set up hidden cameras to surveil their homes.

Cruel, Calculated Home Invasions

U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering described the sophisticated operation as "Ocean's Eleven-style conduct" while being "downright cruel" and producing a "bone-chilling" effect on homeowners.

The burglaries left behind ransacked houses with slashed mattresses and belongings strewn all over inside. The suspects sometimes cut off power to homes before breaking in and left them completely destroyed.

The defendants targeted small business owners suspected of storing large amounts of cash or valuables in their homes. The burglary ring broke into 20 homes in Alabama, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

"These professional burglars made over $1,500,000 breaking into people's homes, but perhaps the most precious thing they stole from their victims was their sense of security and safety," U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said.

The defendants used GPS trackers to monitor victims' movements and hidden cameras to case their homes.

"The defendants put GPS trackers on their victims' cars to locate their homes," according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan.

Sentences Exceed Ordinary Theft

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan, Quintero-Herrera and six others operated a ring that spanned across much of the United States and involved 20 homes.

All of the suspects were in the United States illegally.

The other defendants received the following sentences:

  • Iesua Ramirez-Perez, 26 years old: 39 months in prison
  • Ivan Chaparro-Perez, 31 years old: 42 months in prison
  • William Villarraga-Joya, 33 years old: 90 months in prison
  • Paul Mendoza-Arevalo, 39 years old: 48 months in prison
  • Wendy Acosta-Arevalo, 31 years old: 24 months in prison

The burglary ring broke into each of the homes, sometimes cutting off their power, ripped them apart and took the following valuables:

  • Cash
  • Jewelry
  • Luxury purses and shoes
  • Family heirlooms
  • Personal documents such as passports and mortgage paperwork

They made over $1,500,000 from the burglaries and spent the stolen money on drugs, nightclubs and extravagant travel.

One More Person At Large

Quintero-Herrera was the last of the group, who were in the United States illegally, to be sentenced. One more person is being sought out for the burglary ring, but they have yet to be arrested.

The Flint Township Police Department was among 21 law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. Other Michigan police departments included Dearborn, Farmington Hills and the Kent County Sheriff's Office.

"The defendants' actions were calculated, invasive and left lasting harm on the victims," said Homeland Security Investigations Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey.

U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said the case represents another example of why officials are alarmed by illegal immigration into the United States.

"When these people sneaked into our country, they weren't looking for a chance to get a job. Their idea of a better life was to set up a burglary operation targeting the homes of people all over the United States," VerHey said.

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