Royal Crown Pawn & Jewelry owner pleads guilty in stolen reselling scheme

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Rochester man who used to own a pawn shop admitted to selling stolen goods Wednesday.

Devin Tribunella, 37, was the owner of Royal Crown Pawn & Jewelry on Dewey Avenue.

Federal prosecutors say he and his employee, Wade Shadders, would buy things from people known as "boosters", often people with opioid addictions, who would shoplift from Rochester stores.

Tribunella would then list the items as “New” or “New-In-Box” on eBay for below their retail value.

Prosecutors say he sold and shipped more than $3 million worth of those stolen goods to buyers between January 2017 and November 2019.

He could be handed up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 19.

As part of his plea, he will also have to forfeit more than $200,000 cash and four luxury vehicles and pay a $1.6 million money judgment.

Shadders pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce back in December of 2020.

Three other men were charged in the scheme. Thomas Nary pleaded guilty back in June and Eric Finnefrock did so in May. Ralph Swain was also charged.