Defendants accused of altering VINs and fraudulently selling stolen vehicles across several states.
In a significant crackdown on vehicle theft and fraud, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced charges against four individuals implicated in a sophisticated conspiracy involving stolen vehicles. Nathaniel Bell, aka “David Jones,” from Linden, New Jersey; Johnathan Tanksley from Orange, New Jersey; L’Hubermane Felix from Miami, Florida; and Dayanna Sarango-Hidalgo from Newark, New Jersey, face allegations of conspiring to receive, retitle, and fraudulently sell vehicles with tampered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) across multiple states.
Bell faces additional charges for altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers (VIN) on five counts and one count of transporting stolen vehicles, highlighting the extent of the alleged criminal activities. The accused made their initial court appearances this month before U.S. Magistrate Judges Jessica S. Allen and Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court, setting the stage for legal proceedings.