AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CrimeSep 08, 2016
Jewelry Store Manager Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft
Carlos Torres, of Romano’s Jewelers, was charged in a scheme to defraud Marines by obtaining their personal information and then adding unauthorized charges to their store credit accounts.
San Diego--One of the jewelry store employees charged in a scheme designed to defraud active duty military service personnel has pleaded guilty in the case.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, Carlos Torres, a Romano’s Jewelers store manager, copped to charges of identity theft in a California court this week.
Torres, along with Romano’s Jewelers owner Ramil (Randy) Abalkhad and store employee Nellie Cha Noland, was first charged in the case in March 2015 in California Superior Court following a criminal investigation by the U.S. Marine Corps.
According to the original complaint, Abalkhad told Noland to obtain the social security numbers of active duty military personnel who were customers of Romano’s Jewelers and had credit accounts with the store. Then, Abalkhad told Noland to ask Kymani Tate, who was a Marine at that time, to use the social security numbers to reset the passwords of his fellow Marines’ Defense Finance Account Service (DFAS) MyPay accounts. MyPay functions like a bank account and can be directly linked to other financial accounts so money can be withdrawn to pay bills.
After the passwords were changed, the MyPay accounts were accessed so unauthorized payments could be made to Romano’s Jewelers, court papers state.
Noland was offered $10 for every password that was reset. Tate was offered cash as well and, according to court papers, he was also given jewelry and had his Romano’s Jewelers credit account cleared.
Torres knew about and was involved in the scheme as well, according to the complaint.
NBC 7 San Diego has been reporting on this story from the beginning, as the network used the federal Freedom of Information Act to obtain documents from the 2012 Marine Corps investigation of Tate. He was eventually convicted at a special court martial, fined, spent time in confinement and received a bad conduct discharge.
According to the network, Abalkhad’s trial is set for Nov. 1. Torres and Noland, who pleaded guilty in July 2015, won’t be sentenced until after that time.
R.J. Financial Inc., d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2010.
In July 2015, a judge converted the case to a Chapter 7, forcing the company to liquidate and, ultimately, recover as much money as possible for the creditors. Following the conversion, the Romano’s Jewelers stores in Culver City, Northridge and Downey, Calif. closed. (More Romano’s stores closed prior to the conversion.)
At that time, the Chapter
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
7 trustee appointed to the case, attorney David Seror, told National Jeweler that there were other Romano’s Jewelers stores operating that were not under the R.J. Financial umbrella, including Diamond Trading Lakewood, d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers in the Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood, Calif., and Diamond Trading Glendale, d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers in the Glendale Galleria Mall. He said that Abalkhad was involved in the management of these stores as well.
The Romano’s Jewelers website also lists stores in Northridge and Santa Ana.
Abalkhad’s attorney, A. David Youssefyeh, did not respond to request for comment Wednesday when asked about how the Torres plea might impact his client’s case or Abalkhad’s current involvement with Romano’s Jewelers.
The Romano’s Jewelers website also lists stores in Northridge and Santa Ana.
Abalkhad’s attorney, A. David Youssefyeh, did not respond to request for comment Wednesday when asked about how the Torres plea might impact his client’s case or Abalkhad’s current involvement with Romano’s Jewelers.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
