Colombian National Unlawfully in the United States Pleads Guilty to Interstate Burglary Conspiracy Targeting Asian American Business Owners

EUGENE, Ore. — A Colombian national living unlawfully in the United States has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a multi-state burglary conspiracy that targeted Asian American business owners across Oregon and Washington, prosecutors announced.

Jhon Alexander Quintero, 45, also known as Edwin Andres Cadena-Pineda, entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods.

According to court documents, the scheme began in early October 2025, when Quintero and six co-conspirators traveled between states targeting the homes of Asian American business owners. Investigators say the group used short-term rentals as operational bases while conducting surveillance and identifying victims who were away at work.

Authorities said the crew used sophisticated methods during the burglaries, including signal-jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance, and coordinated group communications. The suspects allegedly forced entry by shattering glass doors before ransacking homes and stealing cash, jewelry, designer goods, travel documents, and other valuables.

The group is believed to have carried out a series of burglaries, including in Auburn, Washington, on Oct. 3, 2025; Gresham, Oregon, on Oct. 5; Eugene, Oregon, on Oct. 6; and Salem, Oregon, on Oct. 9. In each case, the victims were Asian American business owners.

Between the Eugene and Salem incidents, detectives with the Eugene Police Department identified the group’s movements and began surveillance. Following the Salem burglary, investigators tracked the suspects back to a rental property in Eugene and executed a search warrant later that night.

During the search, law enforcement recovered cash and property believed to be stolen, more than a dozen cell phones, evidence of money transfers to Bogotá, Colombia, and travel documents, including passports. Officers also located commercial-grade Wi-Fi signal jammers that were plugged in and charging.

When officers arrived to execute the warrant, Quintero and the others fled into a nearby wooded area. All seven suspects were later detained.

Subsequent analysis of seized devices revealed additional evidence, including shared coordinates of targeted homes, surveillance communications, and messages discussing burglary plans. Investigators also found that Quintero researched the value of stolen jewelry, contacted a Colombian shipping company after one of the burglaries, and helped package stolen items for transport.

A federal grand jury in Eugene indicted Quintero and his co-conspirators on Nov. 20, 2025. He made his initial court appearance on Dec. 3, 2025, and has remained in custody since then.

Quintero faces up to five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, 2026, before a U.S. district judge.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eugene Police Department, with assistance from the Salem, Auburn, and Gresham police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren is prosecuting the case.