Pawn Shop Owner Admits to Fencing Stolen Goods from Burrow

A pawn shop owner in New York City has entered a guilty plea for his role in a scheme involving the buying and selling of luxury items stolen by a national burglary crew. Among the victims of this operation is Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York confirmed that Burrow’s home was targeted while he was away playing a road game against the Dallas Cowboys in December 2022.

An FBI complaint unsealed earlier this year identified Burrow only as “Athlete 5” and estimated the total value of stolen items at approximately $300,000. This case is part of a broader trend in which athletes’ homes are burglarized while they are publicly occupied elsewhere. Notable victims have included NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as NBA players Luka Doncic and Mike Conley.

Dimitriy Nezhinskiy, a 43-year-old resident of North Bergen, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property in a Brooklyn federal court on Friday. He acknowledged purchasing stolen luxury items, such as high-end watches, jewelry, and handbags. While his sentencing date has yet to be established, he faces a maximum prison term of five years, along with restitution and forfeiture of more than $2.5 million.

In addition to the criminal charges, Nezhinskiy faces potential deportation due to his Georgian nationality while residing legally in the United States. District Judge William F. Kuntz highlighted the seriousness of the case during the proceedings.

“This defendant ran a black-market pipeline, buying stolen luxury goods from organized theft crews that targeted homes and businesses,” said Jessica Tisch, New York City Police Commissioner. “It was a deliberate operation that helped professional burglars prey on innocent people.”

Nezhinskiy’s co-defendant, Juan Villar, 48, who co-managed the pawn shop, also pleaded guilty to similar charges in June. The two men worked in concert since 2020, acting as “fences” to acquire and distribute stolen goods from outside New York. Villar, a resident of Queens, is also awaiting sentencing.

The FBI reported that Nezhinskiy’s actions fostered a demand for stolen merchandise, allowing South American theft groups to profit from repeated burglaries. “For more than five years, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy established a demand for stolen merchandise, which allowed South American Theft Groups to profit from repeated burglaries,” remarked Christopher Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office indicated that these theft groups operated across the United States, specifically targeting affluent neighborhoods and jewelry vendors. The investigation has led to multiple arrests, with six individuals apprehended in connection to the case. Notably, Nezhinskiy and Villar are not charged with specific burglaries, but police uncovered a significant cache of suspected stolen goods during searches at their pawn shop and storage units.

Items located included sports memorabilia, artwork, fine wine, luxury clothing, and tools commonly associated with burglaries. In February, three men linked to the series of burglaries, including the break-in at Burrow’s residence, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Cincinnati.

Reflecting on the impact of the burglary, Burrow shared in the latest season of the Netflix series “Quarterback,” released earlier this month, that he canceled plans to purchase a replica Batmobile after the incident. “I just get very uncomfortable,” Burrow expressed. “My life is very public. That comes with the job, but there are certain parts of your life that are yours. Your house is one of those.”

This case underscores the ongoing issue of high-profile individuals being targeted for theft, raising concerns about safety and privacy in an increasingly public life.