6 Stole Thousands Of Dollars From T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods Stores In GA: Carr

ATLANTA, GA — Six people accused in a multi-state, multi-thousand dollar organized retail scheme targeting T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods stores were indicted in Cherokee County, Attorney General Chris Carr said Monday.

The defendants are from various areas in metro Atlanta and targeted stores in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi, prosecutors said.

The five-step retail operation occurred between June 14, 2024 and Jan. 5, prosecutors said.

The accused shoplifted high-end items, like kitchen appliances and bedsheets, at one T.J. Maxx or HomeGoods store and would return those items at another location for store credit in the form of a gift card, prosecutors said. The returns were completed using stolen ID cards, prosecutors said.

The gift cards would then be used in conjunction with a debit card at a third location to buy multiple items, such as purses and perfumes, prosecutors said.

Receipts showed proof of debit card purchases and were used to return the recently bought items at other T.J. Maxx or HomeGoods locations, making way for full refunds to hit the debit card account, prosecutors said.

The defendants then withdrew the funds from ATMs, prosecutors said. According to Carr's office, they acquired tens of thousands of dollars.

A Cherokee County grand jury on April 14 indicted all defendants in the case, prosecutors said.

“Cherokee County has no tolerance for organized retail crime,” Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in a news release. “We are thankful for the partnership with Attorney General Chris Carr and the work of his Organized Retail Crime Unit as we work together to combat organized retail crime in our community.”

The following were indicted, per Carr's office:

Zachary Gaines, 19, of Rex

• Conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• Violation of the RICO Act
• Refund fraud
• Theft by deception

Rickey McKinney, 19, of Lithonia

• Conspiracy to violate the RICO Act
• Violation of the RICO Act

Nakeyta McKinney, 49, of Lithonia

• Conspiracy to violate the RICO Act
• Violation of the RICO Act

Antonio Pearson, 18, of Rex

• Conspiracy to violate the RICO Act
• Violation of the RICO Act

Javon Dorsey, 21, of Powder Springs

• Conspiracy to violate the RICO Act
• Violation of the RICO Act

Travious Johnson, 20, of Jonesboro

• Conspiracy to violate the RICO Act

“This is just one step in our ongoing efforts to protect Georgia businesses and consumers from the rising threats of organized retail crime,” Carr said in the release. “In Georgia, we won’t look the other way – criminals will be held accountable. We’re proud to be in this fight with District Attorney Susan Treadaway and all of our law enforcement partners, and we won’t rest until these criminal networks are stopped once and for all.”