Two pawn shop owners in Philadelphia, Larry Leonard, 60, and Nathaniel "Nat" Leonard, 68, are facing serious charges. They’re accused of buying and selling stolen goods, making over $19 million in sales through online platforms. The charges include conspiracy to sell stolen property and, in Larry Leonard's case, money laundering. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The Leonard cousins ran three pawn shops in Philadelphia and Wilmington, where they bought stolen goods at low prices and resold them, often on eBay. From November 2019 to December 2023, they made over $19 million in sales. The stolen items came from "boosters" and "mooks," who shoplifted from stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart, then sold the goods to the Leonards. The items were moved between the shops and shipped across the country, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Larry Leonard is accused of laundering over $120,000 to pay credit card bills between December 2022 and April 2023. If found guilty, he could face up to 45 years in prison. His cousin, Nathaniel Leonard, faces up to 15 years. The investigation was carried out by several agencies, including Homeland Security and the IRS. The cousins are considered innocent until proven guilty. The charges suggest they were involved in a theft and online sales operation, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
