Carr: 11 Indicted in Chatham County Following Multistate Organized Retail Crime Investigation

CHATHAM COUNTY, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Organized Retail Crime Unit has secured a new indictment in Chatham County charging 11 individuals in connection with a large-scale organized retail crime scheme that targeted 10 retail stores in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. Total losses are believed to be over $200,000.

"Organized retail crime poses a significant threat to our state, leading to billions in lost revenue, thousands of lost jobs, and increased violence against employees," said Carr. "That's exactly why we created Georgia's first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit, so we could work with all levels of law enforcement to protect businesses and consumers, and this case is just the latest example. If you target our retailers, we're coming for you, and we will ensure that you're prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

As asserted in the indictment, between October 2022 and September 2026, the defendants stole and robbed merchandise from The Home Depot, Inc., Walmart, Inc., Ulta Beauty, Inc., Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Bath & Body Works, Inc., Luxottica of America, Inc. (Sunglass Hut), DTLR, Inc., Sterling Jewelers, Inc. (Kay Jewelers), Signet Jewelers Inc. (Zales), and Great American Jewelers. This includes locations in Bartow, Bibb, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Cobb, Glynn, Houston, Liberty, Oconee and Toombs counties, along with additional stores in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. The defendants are alleged to have primarily targeted flooring, paint, household fixtures, small appliances, electronics, clothing, perfume, cologne, sunglasses, solid gold necklaces, solid gold bracelets, diamond rings, and Rolex watches.

This case was investigated by the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit, the Savannah Police Department, and the asset protection teams at Signet Jewelers Limited, The Home Depot, Inc., Ulta Beauty, Inc., Walmart, Inc., and Bath & Body Works, Inc.

The following law enforcement agencies also provided critical assistance throughout the investigation: Georgia State Patrol; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Chatham County Police Department; Pooler Police Department; Garden City Police Department; Glynn County Police Department; Brunswick Police Department; Hinesville Police Department; St. Marys Police Department; Cobb County Police Department; Warner Robins Police Department; Statesboro Police Department; Vidalia Police Department; Bartow County Sheriff's Office; Oconee County Sheriff's Office; Lexington (SC) Police Department; Columbia (SC) Police Department; Beaufort County (SC) Sheriff's Office; North Charleston (SC) Police Department; Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office; Nassau County (FL) Sheriff's Office; Orlando (FL) Police Department; and Woodstock (VA) Police Department.

The Enterprise and Racketeering Conspiracy

The defendants in this case are listed below and, together, they are alleged to have formed the criminal enterprise at the center of this indictment.

• Shawntavius Shanell Butler (aka TayTay or Tay), 31, of Savannah
• Rashamel Okuise Gardner (aka Rara or Ralis), 33, of Savannah
• Eugene Edward Sibert (aka Hawk), 54, of Savannah
• Lakytra Marie Gardner (aka KeKe or Ke), 37, of Savannah
• Jasmonique Lavon Franklin (aka Jazz or Jaazz), 35, of Pooler
• Deaunbrey Antonio Gardner (aka Antonio or Tonio), 51, of Savannah
• Dominique A. Giles, Jr. (aka Domo or Lil Domo), 19, of Savannah
• Zyquie Hakeem Gardner (aka Zy), 26, of Savannah
• Javari Javontay Romain Larry (aka Lil One or Fed), 24, of Savannah
• Shi'heed Ja'mill Small (aka Shi, Shy, or Shii), 26, of Savannah
• Cedric Latroy Gardner (aka Roy), 33, of Savannah

Each of the defendants has been charged with Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. As such, they are alleged to have conspired together to acquire and maintain, directly and indirectly, an interest in and control of personal property through a pattern of racketeering activity.

This includes allegations that the defendants - individually and as members of the enterprise - completed a scheme that involves:

• Stealing various merchandise from retail stores;
• Snatch and grab robberies at jewelry stores; and
• Selling stolen merchandise on Meta Platforms, Inc. (Instagram).

Chatham County Indictment

On Sept. 16, 2026, the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit presented evidence to a Chatham County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of all 11 defendants.

Specifically, the defendants are facing the following charges.

Shawntavius Shanell Butler:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 1 count of Theft by Shoplifting

Rashamel Okuise Gardner:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 1 count of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property

Eugene Edward Sibert:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 1 count of Robbery

Lakytra Marie Gardner:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 1 count of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property

Jasmonique Lavon Franklin:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

Deaunbrey Antonio Gardner:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 3 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Dominique A. Giles, Jr.:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 8 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Zyquie Hakeem Gardner:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 6 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Javari Javontay Romain Larry:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 1 count of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
• 5 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Shi'heed Ja'mill Small:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 8 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Cedric Latroy Gardner:

• 2 counts of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
• 3 counts of Theft by Shoplifting

Read a copy of the indictment (PDF, 16.37 MB) . No further information about the investigation or the indictment may be released at this time by the Attorney General's Office.

About the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit

In 2024, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia's first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit.

The Organized Retail Crime Unit works with retailers and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the criminal networks that are engaged in recurring thefts and acts of violence targeting businesses throughout the state.

Specifically, Georgia businesses are estimated to lose over $3 billion to retail theft annually, including $1.6 billion in stolen goods and $326 million in lost tax revenue, along with 17,000 lost jobs.

The Organized Retail Crime Unit is housed in the Attorney General's Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, his Gang Prosecution Unit, and his White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit.

*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government's burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.