Two Women Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Multistate Retail Theft Ring
Two New York women have been sentenced to a decade behind bars for orchestrating a sophisticated multistate retail theft ring that targeted Walmart and Target stores across the country. The elaborate scheme resulted in the theft of over $100,000 worth of merchandise, primarily involving the fraudulent return of Apple AirPods.
Ebony Fallon Washington, also known as Stephanie Harris, 43, and Melissa Holland, also known as Keisha Wilson, 46, both pleaded guilty to three counts of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing, highlighting the severity of the crimes and the impact of organized retail crime on businesses nationwide.
The prosecution revealed that the women’s illicit activities spanned from June 2022 to August 2024, during which they committed nearly 187 separate incidents across 21 states, including Georgia. The total value of the stolen merchandise amounted to approximately $141,000, demonstrating the scale and scope of their criminal enterprise.
District Attorney Susan Treadaway emphasized the growing concern surrounding organized retail crime, stating that it poses a significant challenge not only to local communities but also to the entire nation. She asserted that Washington and Holland were clearly involved in a well-organized scheme that had a detrimental impact on stores throughout the country.
The District Attorney’s office detailed the specific modus operandi employed by the women. They would initially purchase genuine Apple AirPods using cash. Then, utilizing specialized tools, they would meticulously remove the authentic AirPods from their original packaging. The genuine AirPods were then replaced with cheaper, counterfeit items, carefully selected to resemble the real product.
The women would then expertly reseal the boxes to appear as if they were unopened and brand new. These fraudulently repackaged AirPods were then returned to the stores for a full cash refund. In some instances, they would strategically use the refunded cash to purchase more AirPods, perpetuating the cycle of theft and fraud.
Crucially, the women retained the authentic Apple products, which they would then resell for profit through various channels, further adding to their ill-gotten gains. This aspect of the scheme highlights the deliberate and calculated nature of their criminal behavior, demonstrating a clear intention to profit from their fraudulent activities.
Assistant District Attorney Rachel Murphy, of the Gang and Organized Crime Unit, underscored the coordinated and planned nature of the women’s actions. She stated that they operated with a specific plan in place and worked together in a coordinated effort to execute their scheme effectively. While only two stores within Cherokee County were directly affected, the application of Georgia’s RICO Act allowed prosecutors to address the broader criminal enterprise, recognizing the multistate impact of their actions.
The investigation into the theft ring began in May 2024 when Walmart Global Investigations approached the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office’s Gang and Organized Crime Unit. They presented evidence of a large-scale theft ring that targeted both Walmart and Target stores, prompting a collaborative effort between the retail giants and law enforcement.
Walmart and Target demonstrated a commitment to addressing organized retail crime by working together to investigate the thefts. They opted to share information with each other, pooling their resources and insights to build a comprehensive understanding of the scheme before engaging law enforcement agencies. This collaborative approach proved crucial in uncovering the extent of the women’s criminal activities and ultimately bringing them to justice.
The women were eventually apprehended on September 13, 2024, in Coweta County, located southwest of Atlanta. The arrest occurred during the execution of a search warrant, which yielded significant evidence linking them to the theft ring.
Authorities discovered receipts for hotels situated near retail stores that had been targeted in the scheme. These receipts served as concrete evidence of the women’s travel patterns and their deliberate targeting of specific stores. The search of the women’s rental car also uncovered tools that were used to open the AirPods packaging, further solidifying their involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
Furthermore, authorities seized five cellphones that were being used by the women. A forensic analysis of these devices revealed incriminating evidence, including communications related to the theft ring, records of transactions, and other information that further corroborated their guilt.
In addition to the 10-year prison sentences, the women were also sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to pay a total of $134,951.86 in restitution. This restitution amount reflects the remaining balance after the value of recovered items was deducted from the total theft amount. The requirement to pay restitution serves as a form of compensation to the victims of their crimes and underscores the financial consequences of their actions.
USA TODAY contacted Walmart and Target on May 9 seeking comment on the sentencing but has not received a response as of the time of reporting. The lack of immediate comment does not diminish the significance of the case or the impact it has on retailers nationwide.
The sentencing of Washington and Holland sends a strong message that organized retail crime will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such activities will face serious consequences. The successful prosecution of this case highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between retailers and law enforcement in combating organized retail crime and protecting businesses from significant financial losses. The use of Georgia’s RICO Act demonstrates its power in addressing complex criminal enterprises that operate across state lines. The case serves as a warning to potential offenders and reaffirms the commitment of law enforcement agencies to holding criminals accountable for their actions.
