Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced charges against six people accused of running a sophisticated organized retail theft and racketeering enterprise that allegedly stole merchandise from major retailers across Florida and funneled proceeds through an online fencing operation generating millions of dollars.
“This criminal enterprise systematically stole from Florida retailers and exploited homeless people from shelters to convert stolen merchandise into gift cards,” Uthmeier said.
Recommended Videos
“Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime — it raises prices for every consumer and harms honest businesses. Thanks to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their leadership on the investigation. Through our Organized Retail Theft Task Force, we will dismantle these rings and hold the participants accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Six defendants named in alleged scheme
The six defendants — Ethel McCaskill, 58; Rochelle Jarrett, 39; Sharon Thomas, 57; Drianna Thomas, 31; Tawanda Ellison, 37; and Taccara Gillyard, 37 — are accused of conspiring in a continuous pattern of racketeering activity involving theft and dealing in stolen property between May of 2020, and April of 2022.
How the scheme allegedly worked
According to the charges, the group targeted well-known retailers including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, Burlington Coat Factory, Ross, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Golf Galaxy.
Members of the group allegedly stole high-value merchandise and then recruited homeless individuals to return the stolen items without receipts in exchange for store gift cards. Those recruits were reportedly paid only a small amount of money or offered food before the gift cards were collected by the defendants.
Online fencing operation generated millions, according to investigators
The gift cards were then sold for cash to defendant Taccara Gillyard, who allegedly uploaded and resold them online. According to investigators, records revealed Gillyard obtained more than $3.1 million in gift card sales through Raise.com between 2014 and June 2021, along with more than $140,000 from GiftCash and eBay.
Investigators noted that during the charged period of the scheme, Gillyard had no traditional source of income, made frequent large cash ATM withdrawals consistent with payments to co-conspirators, and frequently visited a casino. Investigators also linked specific gift cards from the thefts and fraudulent returns directly to her accounts.
Alleged scheme spanned more than a dozen Florida counties
The alleged thefts and fraudulent returns occurred across 10 judicial circuits and at least 15 Florida counties, including Lake, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Alachua, Orange, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, Brevard, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Martin.
Charges, potential sentences
All six defendants face charges of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, a first-degree felony.
McCaskill, Jarrett, Sharon Thomas, Drianna Thomas, and Gillyard each face additional charges of organized scheme to defraud (involving $50,000 or more), a first-degree felony, as well as dealing in stolen property, a second-degree felony.
Ellison faces a charge of dealing in stolen property, a second-degree felony.
If convicted as charged, McCaskill, Jarrett, Sharon Thomas, and Drianna Thomas each face up to 90 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Gillyard faces up to 75 years, and Ellison faces up to 45 years.
The investigation was led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution.