Source: US FBI
Greenbelt, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed a 22-count indictment, charging Jamaican national — Charles Edwards Madden, 39, of New Carrolton, Maryland — and Michael R. Bourne, 33, of New York, New York, with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, operating a chop shop, sale or receipt of stolen vehicles, and trafficking in motor vehicles with altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs).
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Washington Field Office, and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).
According to the indictment, between at least January 2020, and continuing into June 2024, Madden and Bourne engaged in a conspiracy to buy and sell vehicles that they knew were stolen from various locations across the United States. As part of the conspiracy, Madden and Bourne altered the VINs to conceal the stolen vehicle scheme and evade law enforcement.
Madden and Bourne combined parts from salvaged vehicles and resold them to victim purchasers in Maryland and elsewhere, concealing the prior salvage or damage status and misrepresenting their conditions to buyers. During the conspiracy, Madden and Bourne obtained dozens of stolen vehicles collectively worth more than $1 million, many of which were transported to and altered in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
If convicted, Madden and Bourne face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy, a maximum of 10 years for sale or receipt of stolen vehicles, and a maximum of 10 years for trafficking in motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Additionally, Madden is charged with operating a chop shop located in Prince George’s County which carries a maximum of 15 years.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Trial Attorneys Amy Schwartz and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein, Justice Department Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, who are prosecuting this case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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