Ansonia man pleads guilty to federal charges in stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring

An Ansonia man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for his involvement in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.

Francisco Ayala, 22, entered his pleas in federal court in Hartford on Tuesday and is detained while he awaits sentencing, scheduled for July 13, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Federal officials said Ayala stole numerous catalytic converters throughout the state — a type of crime that law enforcement has seen an uptick in recently. Catalytic converters contain valuable, precious metals and can be easily removed from a vehicle. They are difficult to trace and can be scrapped for anywhere between $300 and $1,500, officials said.

Ayala was caught on surveillance video stealing converters from two vans at a business in Stratford on March 9, 2022, federal officials said. Between December 2021 and May 2022, Ayala and an associate sold about $150,000 worth of stolen catalytic converters to a co-conspirator who took them to other businesses, including those in New York and New Jersey, for further resale.

Ayala on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum prison term of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.