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NYC Woman Who Led Car Theft Ring Convicted In New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a New York City woman who led a group that shipped dozens of stolen and carjacked luxury vehicles to Africa has been convicted in New Jersey on numerous charges.

Hope Kantete faces up to 15 years in prison when she's sentenced Oct. 3.

The 43-year-old Brooklyn resident was convicted Friday on 10 counts of transporting stolen vehicles and a single count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles. The verdicts concluded a three-week trial staged in Camden.

Prosecutors say Kantete, known as "the Lady," employed people who bought stolen and carjacked vehicles from thieves operating in northern Jersey and New York. She then had individuals "retag" the vehicles by placing new vehicle identification numbers on the autos and creating fraudulent title documents so the vehicles could be shipped.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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