The joint investigation led by the Office of Statewide Prosecution and multiple sheriff's offices resulted in charges against seven defendants for operating a criminal enterprise that targeted CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Burlington, and Ulta Beauty locations between November 2024 and summer 2025. The operation involved "boosters" who traveled to retail stores to steal health and beauty supplies, which were then sold to a Hialeah-based fence for resale online.
"This was a coordinated criminal enterprise that robbed retailers across Florida and turned stolen goods into illicit proceeds," said Attorney General Uthmeier. "We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect Florida businesses, keep prices low for consumers, and quickly dismantle organized retail theft rings from the ground up." The theft ring caused tens of thousands of dollars in losses to retailers across South, Central, and West Florida regions.
Search warrants executed at defendant Naychel Jerez's residence recovered $123,966 worth of stolen health and beauty merchandise, anti-theft removal devices, a cash counting machine, and over $51,000 in cash. Jerez, identified as the operation's fence, faces charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering and directing dealing in stolen property. The seven defendants face a range of charges including organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and unlawful use of two-way communications devices, with some defendants facing potential maximum sentences of 80 years in prison.
The case demonstrates Florida's enhanced approach to combating organized retail theft following Governor DeSantis's signing of HB 549 in 2024, which increased penalties for organized retail theft and made certain repeat offenders eligible for 30 years in prison. The investigation was conducted by a multi-jurisdictional task force including the Martin County Sheriff's Office, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from several additional law enforcement agencies.
"This investigation demonstrates the strength of our partnerships across jurisdictions and our shared commitment to holding those who engage in organized criminal enterprises accountable," said Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay emphasized the effectiveness of the approach: "Criminal enterprises don't worry about jurisdictional barriers, and now we don't have to, either."
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Chris Olowin and Monique Wilson in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. All defendants are currently in custody at the Martin County Jail awaiting further proceedings.
The investigation highlights Florida's coordinated statewide response to organized retail theft, with law enforcement agencies now able to join the Organized Retail Theft Special Investigative Task Force by contacting the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The Florida Retail Federation praised the enforcement action, with President Scott Shalley calling it evidence of "relentless pursuit of justice and fierce commitment to dismantle organized retail crime."