Four individuals from Memphis were handed down federal prison sentences for their involvement in a large-scale retail theft operation, as revealed in recent court proceedings. This criminal enterprise was responsible for the shoplifting and interstate shipping of over $4 million in health and beauty items, from memory supplements to allergy medications. The news was released by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, Reagan Fondren.
The quartet, whose shoplifting scheme ran from April 2018 to May 2020, utilized the U.S. Postal Service to distribute their stolen goods nationwide. Latasha Brooks, aged 42, Coyoti Carter, 47, and Tarnisha Woods, 49, pilfered vast amounts of merchandise, which was then purchased by Keith Guy, 38, who further sold the items over the internet. Each member of the group pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate shipment of stolen property and received their respective sentences in August and September this year, with terms ranging from a year to almost three in federal prison.
According to a statement by the Department of Justice, the investigation unearthed the sizable black market operation that Guy perpetuated by shipping hundreds of parcels to resellers throughout America. On the docket, the estimated retail value of the stolen goods was ascertained to be more than $4 million.
An indictment by a federal grand jury in December 2023 led to the sentencing of the four parties. Tarnisha Woods received a sentence of 15 months, while Latasha Brooks was given 34 months. Coyoti Carter's sentencing concluded at 12 months and 1 day, and Keith Guy, similar to Brooks, will serve 34 months of imprisonment. All parties are also subject to 3 years of supervised release after their incarceration. Importantly, the federal system does not offer parole. The case was spearheaded by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Memphis Field Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Scott Smith prosecuted the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren expressed gratitude towards law enforcement partners for their integral role in uncovering the conspiracy and for successfully prosecuting those involved.
