11 Indicted in $200,000 Organized Retail Theft Scheme Targeting Stores Across 4 States

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – Eleven people have been indicted in an alleged organized retail crime operation accused of stealing and reselling more than $200,000 in merchandise from major retailers and jewelry stores across Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia.

Read a copy of the indictment  (PDF, 16.37 MB) .

A Chatham County grand jury returned the indictment Sept. 16 following an investigation led by the Georgia Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit and Savannah Police Department. Prosecutors allege the operation stretched from October 2022 through September 2026.

The indictment describes what prosecutors say was an organized enterprise whose members traveled to retail locations, stole merchandise, participated in snatch-and-grab robberies and later sold stolen property, including through Instagram.

The alleged losses exceed $200,000.

Investigators say the group targeted Home Depot, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Floor & Decor, Bath & Body Works, Sunglass Hut, DTLR, Kay Jewelers, Zales and Great American Jewelers.

The alleged thefts extended across Georgia, including stores in Bartow, Bibb, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Cobb, Glynn, Houston, Liberty, Oconee and Toombs counties. Stores in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia were also targeted, according to prosecutors.

The merchandise varied considerably depending on the retailer. Prosecutors said the defendants targeted flooring, paint, household fixtures, small appliances, electronics, clothing, perfume, cologne and sunglasses.

At jewelry stores, the group is accused of targeting higher-value merchandise including solid-gold necklaces and bracelets, diamond rings and Rolex watches.

Prosecutors allege stolen merchandise was later offered for sale through Instagram.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s office characterized the defendants as members of a criminal enterprise and charged each of them with two counts of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

The defendants are:

• Shawntavius Shanell Butler, 31, of Savannah, also known as “TayTay” or “Tay,” faces two RICO counts and one count of theft by shoplifting.
• Rashamel Okuise Gardner, 33, of Savannah, also known as “Rara” or “Ralis,” faces two RICO counts and one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
• Eugene Edward Sibert, 54, of Savannah, also known as “Hawk,” faces two RICO counts and one robbery charge.
• Lakytra Marie Gardner, 37, of Savannah, also known as “KeKe” or “Ke,” faces two RICO counts and one count of theft by receiving stolen property.
• Jasmonique Lavon Franklin, 35, of Pooler, also known as “Jazz” or “Jaazz,” faces two RICO counts.
• Deaunbrey Antonio Gardner, 51, of Savannah, also known as “Antonio” or “Tonio,” faces two RICO counts and three counts of theft by shoplifting.
• Dominique A. Giles Jr., 19, of Savannah, also known as “Domo” or “Lil Domo,” faces two RICO counts and eight counts of theft by shoplifting.
• Zyquie Hakeem Gardner, 26, of Savannah, also known as “Zy,” faces two RICO counts and six counts of theft by shoplifting.
• Javari Javontay Romain Larry, 24, of Savannah, also known as “Lil One” or “Fed,” faces two RICO counts, one count of theft by receiving stolen property and five counts of theft by shoplifting.
• Shi’heed Ja’mill Small, 26, of Savannah, also known as “Shi,” “Shy” or “Shii,” faces two RICO counts and eight counts of theft by shoplifting.
• Cedric Latroy Gardner, 33, of Savannah, also known as “Roy,” faces two RICO counts and three counts of theft by shoplifting.

Under the state’s racketeering allegations, prosecutors contend the defendants conspired to acquire and maintain control of property through a pattern of criminal activity. The indictment does not mean each defendant is accused of participating in every individual theft attributed to the alleged enterprise.

The investigation involved an extensive network of law enforcement agencies and corporate investigators.

In addition to the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit and Savannah police, asset protection investigators from Signet Jewelers, Home Depot, Ulta Beauty, Walmart and Bath & Body Works participated.

Law enforcement assistance came from the Georgia State Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with police departments in Chatham County, Pooler, Garden City, Glynn County, Brunswick, Hinesville, St. Marys, Cobb County, Warner Robins, Statesboro and Vidalia.

The Bartow and Oconee county sheriff’s offices also assisted.

Because the alleged operation crossed state lines, investigators received help from the Lexington, Columbia and North Charleston police departments and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina; the Orange and Nassau county sheriff’s offices and Orlando Police Department in Florida; and Woodstock Police Department in Virginia.

Savannah Police Chief Lenny B. Gunther credited the case to cooperation among the agencies involved.

“This case involved a tremendous amount of collaboration and teamwork across multiple agencies,” Gunther said.

The indictment is part of the work of the Georgia Attorney General’s statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit, which investigates criminal operations accused of coordinating thefts from multiple retailers or jurisdictions.