By: Richard L. Smith
A Saudi Arabian man has admitted to transporting a stolen school bus across state lines, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Bader Alzahrani, 24, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, in Newark federal court before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin. He faces charges of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
The case stems from an incident on January 15, 2023, when authorities responded to a break-in at an unoccupied home in Livingston, New Jersey.
During their investigation, law enforcement found a backpack containing a Saudi Arabian passport and other belongings linked to Alzahrani.
Two days later, on January 17, the Livingston Board of Education reported that a school bus had been stolen from a parking lot across the street from the same home.
Law enforcement tracked Alzahrani to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was taken into custody. Upon his arrest, officers recovered the keys to the stolen school bus.
Alzahrani's guilty plea carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2024.
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*Source: U.S. Attorney's Office*