Former pawnshop owner who pleaded guilty in stolen goods scheme is due in court

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Online records show the man who owned Royal Crown Pawn & Jewelry, which was one of the pawnshops involved in the scheme to sell stolen goods that resulted in large raids in November of 2019, is due in court Tuesday for an initial appearance on violation proceedings.

Devin Tribunella pleaded guilty to transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce for his role in the scheme back on Jan. 19. At that time, prosecutors announced he was scheduled to be sentenced on April 19.

Court paperwork released in November 2019 detailed the scheme, alleging that people struggling with opioid addictions were told to steal merchandise from Rochester-area retail stores, which they then sold to the pawnshops for a percentage of their value. The stolen merchandise was then listed as “new” in the pawnshops.

Four other people were charged in the case, including Rochester Pawn & Gold owner Thomas Nary, Royal Crown Pawn & Jewelry employee Wade Shadders, and Rochester Pawn & Gold employee Eric Finnefrock.

News10NBC is working to get more information on this developing story. Stick with us on-air and online for updates.