(WNY News Now) – ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Mark Remein, 42, of Rochester, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, according to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. The charges stem from Remein’s involvement in a scheme that reportedly involved selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise through a secondhand shop and online platforms.
Remein’s guilty plea, presented before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, comes with a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani is managing the case against Remein, who, along with co-defendant Derek Verna, ran West Ridge Connections, a secondhand store on West Ridge Road in Rochester.
From January 2020 to November 2023, Remein and Verna actively purchased goods that they were aware had been shoplifted from various retail establishments in the Rochester area. They reportedly communicated with individuals involved in the thefts, known as “boosters,” guiding them on which items had the highest resale value. Once the stolen goods were acquired, they were sold on eBay at prices significantly lower than the retail value but still marked up from the prices paid to the boosters.
To maintain their operation, Remein and Verna frequently created new eBay accounts, as previous accounts were often shut down due to suspicious activities. They would use their personal information or that of associates to establish these accounts. The stolen items were typically advertised as “New” or “New-In-Box,” enticing buyers with prices below market value. This operation resulted in the shipping of more than $445,964 worth of stolen goods to buyers, including those located outside New York State.
While Remein has entered a plea, charges are still pending against his co-defendant, Derek Verna. The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, with oversight from Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, in collaboration with the Rochester Police Department, led by Chief David Smith.
Sentencing for Remein is set for February 4, 2025, before Judge Wolford.
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