NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey man is facing up to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to a multi-state car theft and fraud ring, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Eric Morgan, 34, pleaded guilty in a Newark federal court to three charges of wire fraud for his illegal ploy that involved more than 30 stolen vehicles — of which 29 were sold to unknowing car buyers.
His guilty plea comes after he sold a 2010 Acura TSX and a 2016 Honda Accord on Craigslist, as well as the sale of a 2015 Honda Accord on OfferUp.
Court documents and statements show that from November 2016 to March 2019, Morgan engaged in a scheme to sell stolen vehicles on internet marketplaces, such as Craigslist and Offerup.
"Once a desirable vehicle was selected, the target vehicle was photographed, and a GPS tracker was attached to the vehicle in order to acquire a pattern-of-life of the original owner before the targeted vehicle was stolen," officials said. "The target vehicle was then listed for sale on an internet-based marketplace."
Once prospective buyers responded to one of Morgan's listings and arranged an in-person meeting to purchase the vehicle, the Department of Justice said he would steal the cars with "specially made car keys."
On three occasions while posing as the lawful car owner, Morgan's plot proceeded, providing the buyers with a fake motor vehicle registration along with the car keys.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2022.
