Northridge man pleads guilty to ‘crime tourism’-related charges

LOS ANGELES — A San Fernando Valley man pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges involving his role in a “crime tourism” ring that dispatched thieves from Central and South America to various parts of the United States to shoplift, burglarize homes and businesses, and steal credit cards before laundering millions of dollars in illicit proceeds.

Miguel Barajas, 59, of Northridge, entered a plea to three charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and structuring...