7 Clevelanders Charged In 11 State Cell Phone Theft Ring

CLEVELAND, OH - Seven Clevelanders have been indicted in federal court for their alleged role in stealing cell phones from stores throughout 11 states. The group allegedly made off with almost $750,000 in electronics.

The group faces 13 counts of transporting stolen goods in interstate commerce. The group allegedly hit stores and kiosks in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, including Summit Mall in Fairlawn and SouthPark Mall in Strongsville, according to the indictment. They're accused of hitting these stores from April 24 to July 24, 2016.

Melvin Swinney, 21, Tyron Hicks, 30, Adolph Boyd III, 24, Jerome Goins, 21, Delante Hudson-Frost, 22, Dennis McKenzie, 20, and Padra Graves, 38, all of Cleveland, were indicted on charges of conspiring to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce.

“This group roamed the eastern half of the United States stealing phones and merchandise worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja in a statement. “Our partners at the FBI and Cleveland Police are to be commended for breaking up this sophisticated crime ring.”

After stealing the cell phones and other electronic devices, the group would then sell the merchandise to Cleveland-area gas stations and independent phone stores, the indictment says. Darnell Foster, 20, also of Cleveland, was also charged in a related case with one count of transporting stolen goods in interstate commerce.

The FBI and Cleveland Police collaborated on this investigation.

“The criminals named in this indictment have victimized multiple local businesses, causing significant damage and loss,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams in a statement. “In addition, their crimes spread to multiple states and even overseas, showing what a damaging effect organized crime has on society. I am proud of the work done by the officers and agents in this case and grateful for the strong partnership the Cleveland Division of Police has with the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

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