North Haven Man Admits Role In Large-Scale ‘Fencing’ Operation

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A North Haven man faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges related to his role in a large-scale fencing operation, according to authorities. Paul William Muzyka, 48, entered his plea in Hartford Superior Court on Friday, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced in a press release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Muzyka helped operate a licensed secondhand store, Ace Amusements, located at 42 Kimberly Avenue in New Haven.

“At Ace Amusements, Muzyka and others knowingly purchased stolen property from ‘boosters,’ who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions,” according to a press release from the U.S. States Attorney’s Office. “The boosters stole the goods from retail stores such as Home Depot, Walmart, Target and Kohl’s, and sold the goods at Ace Amusements for approximately one-third of their retail prices. Muzyka and others then resold the stolen goods at Ace Amusements, and also online at websites such as eBay. The loss attributed this scheme exceeds $5.9 million.”

Muzyka pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transport of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A sentencing date hasn’t been scheduled.

Muzyka has been released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, according to the release.

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