CrimeDec 03, 2024
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Florida JewelerCrimeDec 11, 2024
Former Tiffany & Co. Factory Supervisor Sentenced for Stealing Precious Metals
A federal judge gave Benjamin Preacher 59 days in jail, plus 10 months of home confinement and two years of supervised release.
Boston—A former Tiffany & Co. factory supervisor accused of pocketing gold, platinum, and silver scrap from the facility will spend two months behind bars.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced Dec. 4 that 54-year-old Benjamin Preacher of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 59 days in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 30 months.
Preacher’s attorney, Michael DiStefano, said in email to National Jeweler that the sentence is a “full” and “fair” reflection of all the factors considered in criminal sentencing.
“Mr. Preacher’s personal history is exceptional. A proud military veteran, he has experienced the depths of homelessness and the gratification of eventually owning a home, which he has opened to many people in need of support and a place to stay,” DiStefano said.
“Additionally, the sentence accounts for the non-violent nature of the offense, the family and personal pressures he experienced at the time of the offense, and his lack of any prior interaction with the criminal justice system … Mr. Preacher is taking full responsibility for his conduct and looks forward to continuing to support his family.”
Preacher was arrested in March and pleaded guilty in June to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions after being accused of stealing more than $1.7 million worth of precious metals scrap over a period of three years.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, from 2018 until early 2024, Preacher worked as a manufacturing supervisor for a “Rhode Island facility operated by a company that sells luxury items, including jewelry made from gold, silver and platinum.”
A LinkedIn profile for Benjamin Preacher in North Attleboro lists him as a lean manufacturing supervisor at Tiffany & Co.’s facility in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
This is the factory that is home to the company’s holloware workshop that crafts, among many other things, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
According to the affidavit filed at the time of Preacher’s arrest in March, on March 1, about 30 minutes into his shift, workplace security cameras caught Preacher palming a one-inch piece of white gold flat stock worth about $2,200.
When he left the factory that day, cameras recorded him placing his security badge holder on top of the exit X-ray machine, walking through, and then reaching back to grab his badge holder, where he presumably had stashed the gold.
Related stories will be right here …
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced Dec. 4 that 54-year-old Benjamin Preacher of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 59 days in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 30 months.
Preacher’s attorney, Michael DiStefano, said in email to National Jeweler that the sentence is a “full” and “fair” reflection of all the factors considered in criminal sentencing.
“Mr. Preacher’s personal history is exceptional. A proud military veteran, he has experienced the depths of homelessness and the gratification of eventually owning a home, which he has opened to many people in need of support and a place to stay,” DiStefano said.
“Additionally, the sentence accounts for the non-violent nature of the offense, the family and personal pressures he experienced at the time of the offense, and his lack of any prior interaction with the criminal justice system … Mr. Preacher is taking full responsibility for his conduct and looks forward to continuing to support his family.”
Preacher was arrested in March and pleaded guilty in June to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions after being accused of stealing more than $1.7 million worth of precious metals scrap over a period of three years.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, from 2018 until early 2024, Preacher worked as a manufacturing supervisor for a “Rhode Island facility operated by a company that sells luxury items, including jewelry made from gold, silver and platinum.”
A LinkedIn profile for Benjamin Preacher in North Attleboro lists him as a lean manufacturing supervisor at Tiffany & Co.’s facility in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
This is the factory that is home to the company’s holloware workshop that crafts, among many other things, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
According to the affidavit filed at the time of Preacher’s arrest in March, on March 1, about 30 minutes into his shift, workplace security cameras caught Preacher palming a one-inch piece of white gold flat stock worth about $2,200.
When he left the factory that day, cameras recorded him placing his security badge holder on top of the exit X-ray machine, walking through, and then reaching back to grab his badge holder, where he presumably had stashed the gold.
According to the affidavit, when his employer confronted him about the theft two weeks later, Preacher wrote and signed a statement that he had stolen the white gold flat stock, and had been stealing precious metals from the company and selling them to a gold buyer since 2018.
He also admitted his theft to the IRS, and law enforcement officials seized a bag of precious metal scraps from his home.
Between about March 2020 and March 2023, Preacher took precious metal scraps to a dealer in Canton, Massachusetts, once or twice a month and made more than $1 million.
He also sold gold, platinum, and silver to a different dealer in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, between May and November 2023, with those sales totaling $177,062, according to the affidavit.
In addition to two months in jail, Judge Kelley sentenced Preacher to 10 months of home confinement, 200 hours of community service, and two years of supervised release.
He also was ordered to forfeit approximately $1.3 million.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
