The Los Angeles thief who pretended to be a real estate agent to gain access to celebrity homes he then burglarized learned Wednesday he’ll be spending the next three decades behind prison bars.
Benjamin Ackerman, 37, who was convicted of multiple burglaries in August, was sentenced to 31 years, online records show.
Between late 2016 and the summer of 2018, Ackerman stole approximately $5.5 million in items from Los Angeles mansions, including homes owned by R&B star (and upcoming Super Bowl half-time performer) Usher, Queen’s Adam Lambert, “Real Housewife” Dorit Kemsley, and former Vanity Fair editor Punch Hutton.
Before his trial, Ackerman pleaded no contest to 11 counts of residential burglary, 28 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
He was ultimately found guilty of three counts of first-degree residential burglary with a person present.
At trial, prosecutors argued Ackerman posed as a realtor so that he could access — and steal jewelry and high-end merchandise from — upscale homes.
Ackerman was arrested in 2019 with his accomplice, realtor Jason Yaselli, 36.
The pair were busted after police found 2,000 stolen items in their homes and a storage unit.
Yaselli pleaded guilty at an earlier court date to one count of residential burglary and two counts of money laundering with a white-collar crime enhancement. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Police were able to recover 150 stolen items, including handbags, necklaces, a violin, and a victim’s Social Security card. Investigators also recovered framed photos of Fay Dunaway, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Clint Eastwood — shot by late British photographer Terry O’Neill — that had been pilfered.