Russian Immigrant Convicted of Identity-Theft Scheme and Homicide

Strategic Insights -

A Russian immigrant, Dmitriy Yakovlev, 43, was convicted of a gruesome identity-theft scheme that led to the disappearance and presumed murder of a translator from Brooklyn, Irina Malezhik, and the death of a man whose body parts were found in a New Jersey nature preserve. The jury deliberated for seven hours over two days before finding Yakovlev guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, using stolen credit cards, and other charges. The prosecution alleged that Yakovlev killed both victims in a plot to pillage their bank accounts and credit lines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dmitriy Yakovlev, a Russian immigrant, was convicted of a gruesome identity-theft scheme that resulted in the disappearance and presumed murder of Irina Malezhik, a translator from Brooklyn, and the death of Viktor Alekseyev, a neighbor in Brooklyn.
  • Yakovlev was found guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, using stolen credit cards, and other charges, but not specifically of murder.
  • The prosecution alleged that Yakovlev killed both victims in a plot to pillage their bank accounts and credit lines.
  • Only hours after Malezhik vanished in 2007, Yakovlev's wife, Julia, was on the phone with credit card companies pretending to be Malezhik in an effort to take her money.
  • Yakovlev lied to the FBI about Malezhik's disappearance, claiming she must have left the country without telling anyone.
  • Julia Yakovlev pleaded guilty to identity theft and credit card fraud last month and faces at least two years in prison at sentencing in May.
  • Dmitriy Yakovlev faces a possible life term at sentencing on June 3.

Statistics:

  • 7 hours: The duration of the jury's deliberation before finding Yakovlev guilty.
  • 2007 and 2005: The years in which Irina Malezhik vanished and Viktor Alekseyev's body parts were found in a New Jersey nature preserve, respectively.
  • 43: The age of Dmitriy Yakovlev at the time of his conviction.
  • 2 years: The minimum prison term facing Julia Yakovlev at sentencing in May.
  • June 3: The date set for Dmitriy Yakovlev's sentencing, when he faces a possible life term.

Sources:

Amanda Hector, prosecutor (no exact title mentioned)

Michael Gold, defense lawyer

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (no exact reference mentioned)