A former manufacturing supervisor at a luxury jewelry company was sentenced today for stealing over $1.7 million worth of gold, silver, and platinum from his employer. Benjamin Preacher, 54, from North Attleboro, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 59 days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
In addition to the prison sentence, Preacher will serve 10 months of home confinement, 200 hours of community service, and the forfeiture of $1,267,093. Preacher pleaded guilty in June 2024 to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods and one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.
The thefts occurred between 2018 and early 2024 while Preacher worked as a manufacturing supervisor at a Rhode Island-based company specializing in high-end jewelry. Over the years, Preacher exploited his position overseeing the production and security of luxury goods to systematically steal scrap gold, silver, and platinum.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Preacher used his inside knowledge of the company’s operations and security protocols to steal precious metals without being detected. He then transported the stolen materials across state lines into Massachusetts, where he sold them to local businesses for illicit profit.
The sentencing marks a significant step in addressing workplace theft and highlights the severe consequences of exploiting trusted positions for personal gain.