HOUSTON – Two Houston people are accused of committing jewelry heists, money laundering and participating in organized criminal activity.
John Dewayne O'Brien, 50, is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and is being held without bond.
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Derenda Lea O'Brien, 53, is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and has posted a $300,000 bond.
Court documents say from Aug. 13, 2007 to April 12, 2013 that John O'Brien conspired to commit jewelry theft with family members. O'Brien is accused of planning and executing a heist at Karat 22 Jewlers on the 5600 block of Hillcroft Street and took more than $6 million worth of jewelry on Feb. 6, 2011.
After the burglaries, O'Brien and his associates allegedly melted the gold down and sold it for cash.
Two days before, court records say that O'Brien burglarized a precious metals distributor not open to the public in Tarrant County, near Fort Worth. On Aug. 13, 2007 O'Brien is accused of burglarizing Cox's Jewelry in Tarrant County and came away with gold and gems.
O'Brien then knowingly transferred and invested at least $200,000 that was made from criminal activity, according to court record O'Brien is accused of using the money to buy a house, swimming pool, motor vehicles, a boat, a watch and heavy equipment. He is also accused of moving money through multiple bank accounts to pay bondsman's fees.
Derenda O'Brien is accused of money laundering and facilitating a transaction involving funds of at least $200,000. Court documents say the money was proceeds from criminal activity.
Derenda O'Brien moved money between several bank accounts to gamble, and buy real estate according to court records. She is also accused of using the money to pay personal expenses and legal fees.
Kelvin O'Brien was convicted for his involvement of the burglary at Karat 22 in March. He was accused of using his criminal proceeds to buy a Mercedez, a Range Rover, a boat and home.