Prosecutors: New York Jeweler Was “Fence” For Theft Gangs

By Rob Bates | March 25, 2025

Mark Simon, the owner of a New York state jewelry store with a home in Putnam County, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, for allegedly buying multiple hauls of stolen jewelry from members of a South American theft gang.

According to an indictment unsealed March 12 in Florida federal court, from 2019 to 2021, Simon regularly purchased items from a gang that targeted jewelers and jewelry salespeople in Florida, California, and Georgia. The purchases sometimes occurred in Florida hotel rooms that were rented using fake ID, it said.

For example, in November 2019, the robbers nabbed $125,000 in merchandise from a jewelry salesperson in Miami, according to the indictment. Two days later, Simon flew down to Fort Lauderdale and paid $25,000 to $35,000 for pilfered items, prosecutors claim.

The charging document says that Simon twice sent robbers messages “inquiring about stolen jewelry,” and mailed the gang members U.S. currency as payment, using a fake name for the recipients.

Simon was arrested on March 12 and released on $50,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty.

Simon’s attorney, Jeffrey Chartier, tells JCK that his client maintains his innocence. “[Simon is] involved in the wholesale and resale of jewelry, and he searches for best price, not necessarily knowing the origin of the items,” he says.

Photo credit: Getty