A federal jury has convicted a Hyattsville man and an Ohio man of their involvement in a multi-state conspiracy involving over 150 stolen vehicles valued more than $6 million.
Deonte Holden, 30, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Clifford Flemming Smith Jr., 38, of Columbus, Ohio, were convicted of conspiring to commit wire fraud and receiving stolen vehicles. Smith had also been convicted of aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors allege that members of the conspiracy used stolen identities to illegally purchase or attempt to purchase new and used vehicles. In several cases, conspirators used victims’ identities to test drive vehicles, copy the key fobs, return the vehicles, and then return to steal them. Tow trucks were also employed to remove vehicles from dealerships, rental lots, and residential areas.
To prevent detection, conspirators reportedly removed or obscured factory-installed car identification numbers and disabled GPS systems before transferring the vehicles to others.
Federal prosecutors said the scheme encompassed more than 150 stolen vehicles valued more than $6 million. Seven other people indicted in connection with the case had previously pled guilty.
Holden and Smith are expected to be sentenced on January 15, 2027. Holden faces up to 25 years in jail, while Smith faces a mandated minimum of two and a maximum of 27 years.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the crime, as did many local police departments, including Prince George’s County and Baltimore County.
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