HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced criminal charges against nine individuals in connection with an alleged scheme involving the theft of high-value smartphones from shipments at a Delaware County FedEx facility. The group is accused of stealing and reselling at least 181 devices, collectively valued at approximately $173,000.
The alleged ringleaders, identified as Lahneir McBride and Cahron Wilmore, both 25 years old, are facing multiple felony charges, including corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and criminal solicitation. According to the Office of Attorney General’s investigation, McBride and Wilmore spearheaded the operation while employed at the Linwood warehouse, purportedly recruiting others to act as sellers in the scheme.
Allegations of Theft and Resale
Investigators contend that the alleged thefts began shortly after McBride and Wilmore were hired by FedEx in the summer of 2024, with the operation running from late June through September of that year. The phones were reportedly taken from shipments passing through the warehouse and funneled to accomplices who resold them in exchange kiosks operated by EcoATM.
The scheme is alleged to have netted $57,000 in profits for the group, while individual sellers were paid $200 to $300 per phone. EcoATM kiosks, which document sales with detailed records and photographs of sellers, provided evidence that reportedly linked the transactions back to the warehouse and the accused ringleaders.
Attorney General Sunday described the operation as a sophisticated effort to exploit unsuspecting consumers and businesses. “Our Organized Crime Unit continues to disband sophisticated rings that defraud unsuspecting consumers and cause market price increases due to losses sustained by companies,” Sunday stated. “This criminal enterprise involved thefts of high-priced smartphones and the recruitment of dozens of sellers, who executed the transactions while the two ringleaders watched.”
Additional Charges
Alongside McBride and Wilmore, seven others are facing various felony-level charges for their alleged roles in the operation. Those individuals are:
- Latoria McBride, mother of Lahneir McBride
- Albert Payne
- Lamiyah Young
- Janiya Monae Wilmore
- Ciani Wilmore
- Danasia Jackson
- Lamarr Taylor
The seven co-defendants are accused of acting as sellers who physically conducted transactions at EcoATM stations, offering the stolen devices for payment.
Investigation and Prosecution
The Organized Crime Section of the Attorney General’s Office is responsible for prosecuting the case. The charges are rooted in an extensive investigation into the alleged theft and laundering of the stolen devices through resale systems. Photographic and transactional evidence collected by EcoATM machines were critical in identifying the accused and tracing the activity back to the warehouse.
Attorney General Sunday emphasized the importance of addressing such organized crimes to protect businesses and consumers alike.
All nine defendants are currently in custody. It is important to note that the charges at this stage remain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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