10/20/21 - Five people plead guilty to Walmart theft ring across 35 states

Several SW Michigan residents pleaded guilty in a multi-state Walmart theft ring.

 BENTON HARBOR, MI  (MLive) – Five people have pleaded guilty in a multi-state Walmart theft ring.

Seven people accused of stealing more than $250,000 from Walmart between January 2019 and April 2021, according to U.S federal court records.

Five of them have entered guilty pleas as of Oct. 19. One woman is from Jackson, while the other six defendants are from Benton Harbor.

The indictment alleges that they were involved in more than 80 thefts or attempted thefts and more than 150 fraudulent returns or attempted returns in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and at least 32 other states.

They would steal things like electronic vacuums, Beats by Dre headphones, Apple products and internet routers. Someone would then go into Walmart and use cash to purchase the same products, so they had receipts.

Then, someone would use that receipt to return the stolen items. This meant they would get cash refunds for the value of stolen items they returned, plus tax, the indictment said. The Walmart employee would give them the receipt back.

Those involved in the scheme would make part of the transaction code on the bottom of the receipt unreadable, according to the indictment. Then, they would use that receipt to return more items, despite already receiving a full refund during the first return when they used the receipt to return stolen products, the indictment said.

Elisha Vary, of Jackson, entered a guilty plea July 23 for one count each of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation and possession of stolen goods; and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She’s also facing four counts of wire fraud.

Tipton Lamar Walker, of Benton Harbor, entered a guilty plea Aug. 19 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Jaylen Sulton, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty Sept. 27 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Marquis Davis, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Joshawn Wilson, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty Oct. 19 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The cases against Adarius Ferguson and Christopher Campbell, both of Benton Harbor, are ongoing.

Campbell is facing one count each of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation and possession of stolen goods, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession of stolen goods after interstate transport.

Ferguson is facing one count each of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation and possession of stolen goods, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, possession of stolen goods after interstate transport and five counts of wire fraud.