Security News: Owner of Telecommunications Store Convicted for his Role in a Robbery Spree Targeting Other Telecommunication Stores

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Assistant U. S. Attorney Mario Peia (619) 546-9706

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 6, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Adde Munin Adde, the owner of a telecommunications store in San Diego County, pleaded guilty today in federal court, admitting that he received stolen electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets that were unlawfully obtained through robbery.

Adde pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg to three counts of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property. As part of his plea, Adde also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $59,740.55.

This conviction is the culmination of an investigation coordinated between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National City Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and San Diego Police Department, against those who committed 11 robberies and attempted robberies between January 14, 2020, and February 1, 2020.

The robbers targeted telecommunication stores such as Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, and used what appeared to be firearms to violently demand cell phones, tablets, and electronic devices. The firearms were later determined to be BB guns. Altogether, six defendants have been convicted for the robberies: Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Zielinski, Marqwell Green, Jose Manuel Garcia, Lavonte Green, Keon Glover, and Kameron Moore. Five of the defendants have been sentenced to multi-year terms.

“Owners of pawn shops and those who sell cell phones, jewelry, and other commonly-stolen items should take notice of this conviction,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “When you buy stolen merchandise, you create a market for those who obtain the merchandise through violent means. As part of our fight against violent crime, we will prosecute you, along with those who commit the violent crimes, to the fullest extent permitted by law,” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.

“The FBI remains fully committed to investigating not only those who steal from local businesses, but also those who knowingly purchase stolen items,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “I want to thank the National City Police Department, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the San Diego Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California for their commitment and partnership in holding all parties accountable.”

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section.  Formed in 2019, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood. The VCHT Section also provides federal prosecutors to the downtown San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force-Gang Group, the North County Gang Task Force, and the East County Gang Task Force.

Adde is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge William Q. Hayes.

DEFENDANTS                                             CASE NUMBERS                            

Adde Munin Adde                                          22-cr-0972-WQH                  

Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Zielinski                      20-cr-1565-WQH

Marqwell Green                                              20-cr-1565-WQH

Jose Manuel Garcia                                        20-cr-1565-WQH

Lavonte Green                                                20-cr-1565-WQH

Keon Glover                                                   20-cr-1565-WQH

Kameron Moore                                              20-cr-1565-WQH

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2314

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, Hobbs Act Robbery, and Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1951

Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

National City Police Department