Evergreen Reporter

Four residents of Memphis have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in an organized retail theft conspiracy. The group was responsible for shoplifting goods worth millions of dollars and distributing them across the nation using the U.S. Postal Service, according to Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

Evidence presented in court indicated that from April 2018 to May 2020, Latasha Brooks, 42, Coyoti Carter, 47, and Tarnisha Woods, 49, stole large quantities of health and beauty products such as memory supplements, hair regrowth treatments, weight loss aids, and allergy medicines. Keith Guy, 38, purchased these stolen goods from Brooks who then compensated Carter and Woods for their contributions. Guy subsequently sold the stolen items online and shipped hundreds of parcels through the U.S. Postal Service to various locations across the United States. The total estimated retail value of the stolen products exceeded $4 million.

The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2023 on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate shipment of stolen property. Each defendant pleaded guilty and received sentences from United States District Court Chief Judge Sheryl H. Lipman. On August 12, 2024, Woods was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On August 13, Brooks received a sentence of 34 months in prison with three years of supervised release to follow. Carter was sentenced on August 22 to 12 months and one day in prison with three years of supervised release afterward. Finally, on September 13, Guy was sentenced to 34 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service Memphis Field Office.

Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren expressed gratitude towards Assistant United States Attorney Scott Smith for prosecuting the case and acknowledged law enforcement partners for their role in the investigation.

For more information or media inquiries contact USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Updates can also be found on Facebook or X at @WDTNNews.