Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Portsmouth Ford Burglaries

Topics:  Portsmouth Ford

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Hampshire
May 12, 2011

CONCORD, NH—Darren Barboza, 44, of Quincy, Massachusetts, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire to 51 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on charges that he transported stolen property across state lines, announced United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.

Portsmouth Ford was burglarized multiple times between July 2009 and April 2010, with more than 60 factory-installed GPS navigation/satellite radio systems, rims, tires, tailgates, and other vehicle parts being stolen. The average value of the GPS navigation/satellite radio systems is in excess of $3,000. The total value of property stolen or damaged during the course of the burglaries exceeded $200,000.

The FBI, in conjunction with the Portsmouth Police Department, conducted an undercover investigation that included purchasing one of the stolen GPS units online. In doing so, law enforcement was able to work through the distribution chain and arrest Barboza and others. It was learned during the course of the investigation that Barboza would drive to New Hampshire from his home in Quincy, Massachusetts and steal GPS units when Portsmouth Ford was closed for business. He would then transport the GPS units to Massachusetts for delivery to an intermediary who would sell the units to individuals who would then sell them on the Internet.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Portsmouth Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold Huftalen.