2 Men Charged With Selling Stolen Jewelry, Watches in NYC Diamond District
One of the men is said to be connected to the South American crew charged with burglarizing Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s home.

Last week, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging 43-year-old Dimitriy Nezhinskiy of North Bergen, New Jersey, and 48-year-old Juan Villar of Queens, New York, with conspiracy to receive stolen property related to their purchasing of stolen goods that traveled across state lines.
The men were arrested on Feb. 4, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2025, the men conspired with others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags, and other luxury items that had been stolen outside of New York and transported into the state.
The men allegedly served as “fences,” individuals who knowingly buy stolen property and then sell it to make money, for burglary crews based in South America.
These crews are said to travel around the United States targeting wealthy neighborhoods and jewelry vendors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said evidence links Nezhinskiy and Villar to several thefts around the country, including crimes committed by Bryan Leandro Herrera Maldonado, a “prolific” burglar who committed at least 16 residential burglaries across the U.S. between 2019 and 2020.
“The defendants’ alleged actions incentivized highly organized South American theft groups to continue their meticulous looting scheme against a myriad of affluent residences and businesses across the country,” said James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office.
“With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to dismantle any criminal activity curated to capitalize on victims’ losses and establish an economic demand for ill-obtained merchandise within our city.”
Phone records and video surveillance allegedly also link Nezhinskiy to at least two members of a four-man crew believed to be involved in the Dec. 9 burglary of the home of “a high-profile athlete in Ohio,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Three men believed to be part of a South American Theft Group have been indicted for federal crimes related to the burglary of an NFL player’s Cincinnati home. The case is being investigated by the #FBI & the SW Ohio South American Theft Group Task Force. https://t.co/dS0LJ8FooW pic.twitter.com/Tuf2Oc2xfb
— FBI Cincinnati (@FBICincinnati) February 5, 2025
It has been widely reported that this athlete is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose home was burglarized on that day while he was playing an away game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The four-man crew who allegedly burglarized Burrows’ house were arrested during a traffic stop in Clark County, Nevada, in January.
Notably, last October, the homes of two other NFL stars, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, were broken into days apart.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not respond when asked if the three burglaries are believed to be connected.
Evidence shows Nezhinskiy was in contact with the four-man crew less than one week before the burglary in Ohio, said officials.
According to the release, an undercover detective went to the Diamond District to investigate Nezhinskiy and Villar’s operation.
Between October 2022 and January 2024, the detective made seven controlled sales of purported stolen property, including luxury handbags and accessories, to the two at their business.
The undercover detective told the men that these goods had been stolen, said officials, and received cash in exchange.
On Feb. 4, officials executed a search warrant on Nezhinskiy and Villar’s pawn shop in the Diamond District, seizing “large quantities” of allegedly stolen property, including dozens of luxury watches and jewelry, as well as cash and cannabis.
Law enforcement simultaneously searched storage units belonging to Nezhinskiy in New Jersey, uncovering even more allegedly stolen property, including jewelry, high-end handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, and artwork, according to the release.
Officials also found power tools they said are commonly used in burglaries and for opening safes.
Nezhinskiy and Villar were arraigned on Feb. 5 and their attorneys entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
The pair attempted to be let out on bail but a judge denied their requests, as per a New York Post report, with a trial date set for Aug. 4.
Their attorneys said both men would be interested in plea deals, and both plan to appeal the judge’s decision to deny/revoke bail, according to the Post.
If Nezhinskiy and Villar are convicted of receipt of stolen goods, they face up to 10 years in prison.
The Latest

Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Expanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.

Located in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.


The Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.

The turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.

The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.

Set with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.

“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.

Though currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.

Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.

May babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.

The deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.

What’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.

Now called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.

It includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.

The “Sea of Wonder” collection features pieces inspired by the ocean, from its waves to flora and creatures like urchins and sea turtles.

The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

The miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.

Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.