A Log Angeles thief was sentenced to 31 years in prison for planning burglaries of the rich and famous as a real estate agent.
Benjamin Eitan Ackerman, 37, appeared dejected as he was sentenced Wednesday for his role in stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry, designer handbags, shoes and art from high-profile victims including Usher and Adam Lampert.
Ackerman was first arrested in January 2019 in connection with a conspiracy with alleged co-conspirator Jason Yaselli, who officials said worked together to target mansions across Hollywood.
At least $5.5 million was stolen from homes during a nearly two-year raid from December 2016 to July 2018 – with one Beverly Hills home losing 150 luxury items worth a total of $2.5 million in a single raid.
Benjamin Ackerman, 37, appeared dejected as he was sentenced to 31 years in prison on Wednesday for a series of high-profile burglaries
The thief posed as a real estate agent to gain access to the mansions of the rich and famous
Victim Punch Hutton (pictured), the former editor of Vanity Fair, broke down as she read an impact statement at Ackerman’s sentencing
Ackerman looked down as he entered the courthouse in a prison uniform and handcuffs before victims, including tearful former Vanity Fair editor Punch Hutton, read victim impact statements.
Ackerman was found guilty of the robberies last month in Los Angeles Superior Court and had previously pleaded no contest to some charges against him, including theft from the home of Real Housewives star Dorit Kemsley.
He also pleaded not guilty to three other cases, including a burglary at the home of former NFL player Shaun Phillips in 2017.
After his arrest in January 2019, investigators seized over 2,000 stolen items hidden in his home and a storage unit.
He allegedly teamed up with Yaselli, who was also arrested but whose status in his criminal case is unclear, to sneak into and scout luxury villas.
Prosecutors say Yaselli encouraged “Old” Ackerman to target a total of 14 mansions before selling the stolen items and using the profits to pay off Yaselli’s credit card.
According to prosecutors, Ackerman deposited between $5,500 and $20,000 into Yaselli’s account each month.
In her alleged scheme, Ackerman posed as a real estate agent to get a closer look at the homes, which LAPD detective Jared Timmons described as “dressed to the nines.”
“He played the role – he was very skilled,” Timmons added.
Usher (pictured) and his ex-wife Grace Miguel fell victim to the gang of burglars after putting their home up for sale
Usher and his then-wife Grace Migel were targeted in 2018 after building their $4.2 million estate near the luxury Chateau Marmont on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. The listing highlighted the “eye-catching artwork” and “eye-catching decor,” while also showing several images of the property’s interior with numerous items on display
Investigators discovered more than 2,500 stolen items in Ackerman’s home and a storage unit he owned. Messages from Ackerman showed him talking about stealing from celebrities Usher and Adam Lambert
Ackerman set his sights on Adam Lambert’s three-bedroom, 3,049-square-foot luxury home above the Sunset Strip after it was put on the market for $3.35 million. He saw the property on an online listing and returned more than once to snap up luxury goods
Lambert had a signed picture of Freddie Mercury with his inscription stolen from his house
Punch Hutton, the former deputy editor of Vanity Fair who burst into tears at Ackerman’s sentencing on Wednesday, was attacked in her home in December 2017.
Hutton and her husband, film producer John Hodges, became victims after leaving their home for an open house in a luxury neighborhood where Usher and Lampert also live.
An online listing included dozens of photos and a 3D tour of her home showing her personal possessions.
Ackerman and Yaselli would both allegedly scour online home sales listings for their next victims.
The tempting listing caught the attention of Ackerman, who jumped over the fence in the backyard, hoisted himself onto the roof and sneaked into the master bedroom — which he had previously unlocked during the open house.
After successfully stealing a Louis Vuitton bag and a blue Goyard bag as well as a jewelry box, he took a photo and sent it to Yaselli with the words: “Well, just when you thought the day was over ;)”
The stolen items also included jewelry, handbags and Rolex watches belonging to Hodges, with the couple losing a total of around $215,000 worth of valuables.
Hutton’s case was key to tracking down Ackerman after she found fingerprints and shoe prints that police later used to track down the suspect.
Real estate agent Jason Yaselli (right) allegedly teamed up with “sophisticated” Benjamin Ackerman to hatch the multi-million dollar conspiracy to steal luxury goods and celebrity homes
Former Vanity Fair editor Punch Hutton, whose home was attacked in December 2017, congratulated Los Angeles Assistant District Attorney Jeff Stodel during the sentencing
Glittering earrings were among thousands of pieces of jewelry seized in the robberies, which police said were carried out “sophisticatedly and surgically.”
Hundreds of designer bags were discovered by officers following the raid on Ackmans’ property near the home of one of the victims. He had organized the luxury handbags of their designers, including Balenciaga, Chanel and Louis Vuitton
Ackerman spooked residents of the upscale community, as did musician Lampert’s three-bedroom Sunset Strip luxury home after it was put on the market for $3.35 million.
Similar to Hutton, Ackerman found the entry online but returned home and stole items more than once.
Ackerman was known as a skilled thief and his victims often only realized they were being attacked when they later discovered that valuables were missing.
Michael Gores, head of Paradigm Talent Agency, and Linna Stalberg, head of Logitech’s entertainment and talent division, were also left out of the bag by the sneaky thieves.
Thanks to his skills, the thief was also able to disarm surveillance videos and cameras with incorrect settings.
“The cameras just stayed black until several hours after the break-in,” Timmons said.
Twelve LAPD officers searched his home in September 2018 and discovered an indoor-outdoor surveillance system with 15 cameras.
Designer clothes and handbags were found organized by brand, including labels such as Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Givenchy, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.
Goyard purses, Cartier, Patek Phillipe and Rolex watches were seized, as were diamond-encrusted Gucci hair clips and hundreds of bottles of expensive wine.
Ackerman stole expensive artwork, designer clothing, bags, and luxury jewelry and watches from celebrities’ homes, including a number of expensive pieces of art
He also took a standing bass from an older couple his parents had been friends with for a long time and asked them to carry their mail
Rabbi Karen Fox delivers a victim impact speech at Ackerman’s sentencing
Rabbi Karen Fox was among those who gave a victim impact statement at Ackerman’s hearing after her home was hit in the summer of 2017.
Notably, the thief was the son of her close family friend before stealing a number of high-priced items from her, including a family heirloom that was partially sold generations ago to help her family escape the Nazis.
Ackerman had previously attended Shabbat and Passover dinners at the property with his family, so he was familiar with the layout. When he stole from the elderly couple, they had asked him to look after their property while they flew to New York to pick up their newborn grandchild.
The rabbi kept the remains of the gold chain in a safe in her bedroom along with other heirlooms, as well as several other pieces of jewelry.
Ackerman took a menorah-shaped brooch and a standing bass that belonged to the couple’s son and were seized by police.
As he struck, Ackerman texted Yaselli to brag that the couple had “left their safe unlocked” before adding: “I’m inside going through this.”
He took his time searching their property, knowing when they would return, and told Yaselli, “I’m sure there’s cash in here too.”
The heirloom necklace was never recovered, and Fox said in court in March that it represented “our family’s survival story, a Jewish survival story.”
Dorit and Paul Kemsley were hit hardest by the break-ins. While she was away, at least $2.5 million worth of items were stolen from her Beverly Hills mansion
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Dorit and Paul Kemsley were robbed while not staying at the $12.75 million mansion pictured. The couple discovered that several expensive items had been taken. Police estimated that around $2.5 million worth of valuables had been stolen
Framed photos of Fay Dunaway, Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Clint Eastwood by Terry O’Neill were all stolen from the Beverly Hills estate
The victims who lost the most in the raids are believed to be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley and her husband Paul.
The couple were raided while away from their sprawling $12.5 million estate, with Ackerman taking home artwork, jewelry, a large and expensive wine collection, wallets and handbags worth more than $2.5 million.
Officers seized more than 150 items, including 43 wallets and handbags, 30 bracelets, 25 necklaces and a Social Security card.
They also found framed photos of Fay Dunaway, Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Clint Eastwood by Terry O’Neill.
It’s not clear how Ackerman knew the couple wasn’t on the property, but he previously admitted to “watching” other properties before targeting them.