October 4, 2011
According to Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi, Reginald E. Lee, Jr., 38, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty yesterday (Oct. 3) to second-degree receiving stolen property before Superior Court Judge Paul M. DePascale in Hudson County. Lee was charged in a June 3, 2011 state grand jury indictment.
Judge DePascale scheduled Lee’s sentencing for Nov. 10. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Lee be sentenced to five years in state prison.
In pleading guilty, Lee admitted that between Aug. 15, 2006 and Oct. 16, 2006, he was in possession of stolen vehicles valued at a total of approximately $243,645, knowing that the vehicles had been or believed to have been stolen. The stolen vehicles included: a 2001 Honda Accord; a 2006 Kawasaki ZX636 motorcycle; a 2003 Dodge Ram 50; a 1998 Land Rover Discovery; a 2003 Ford Econoline Conversion Van; a 1998 Toyota 4Runner; a 2004 Ford Econoline Conversion Van; a 1999 Mercedes Benz E430; a 2002 Subaru WRX; a 2005 Infinity FX35; a 2006 Dodge Charger; a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica; a 2004 BMW M5; a 2004 Ford Explorer; and a 2006 Audi A3.
Also yesterday, A’Jon D. Rogers, 26, of East Orange, pleaded guilty to third-degree receiving stolen property. The charge was contained in a separate June 3, 2011 state grand jury indictment. In pleading guilty, Rogers admitted that on Nov. 1, 2006, he was in possession of an Infinity FX 35, knowing that it had been stolen.
Judge DePascale scheduled Rogers’ sentencing for Nov. 10. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Rogers be sentenced to three years of probation.
The charges against both defendants were the result of an undercover investigation by the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor into a stolen vehicle ring. The investigation involved detectives from the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor working in an undercover capacity to purchase stolen vehicles.
Sergeant Jarek Pyrzanowski and Deputy Attorney General Steven Bennet were assigned to the investigation. Earlier investigation tasks were completed by Detectives Johnny Ho and Jose Vendas, formerly of the Division of Criminal Justice, and Detective Toni Petreski. Deputy Attorney General Bennet represented the state at the guilty plea hearings.
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