The winners of the 2020 IAATI/NICB Award of Excellence, Investigator Pete Ciacci (New York State Police Special Investigations Unit) and Special Agent Kevin Gonyo (FBI New York Field Office) have worked tirelessly over the past several years, in close coordination with their local NICB Special Agent Richard Baxter, on a multi-state stolen vehicle ring case.

This ring would;

• Steal vehicles from Michigan, Florida, and other states
• Transport the stolen vehicles to New York and Connecticut for resale
• Create and/or obtain false titles, registrations, and temporary license plates for the stolen vehicles
• Use the false vehicle records to deceive car buyers and the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles
• Use online markets, such as Ebay, to solicit buyers of the stolen vehicles from across the county

The defendants were so bold they were driving around in stolen Lamborghinis, Range Rovers, and other high-end stolen vehicles. In total this investigation identified and charged seven individuals with operating a nationwide stolen vehicle ring involving approximately 60 vehicles worth an estimated $3.1 million. Thus far, seven defendants have been charged with Conspiracy, Possession, Sale, and Transportation Across State Lines of motor vehicles.

Congratulations to both investigators on a job well done!