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Press Release

Five Columbus, Ohio residents charged with transporting stolen goods

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Maurice L. Whyte, II, 23, Kasie A. Morgan, 24, Kionte K. Whatley, 19, Marilyn Whatley, 37, and Jolisha McDonald, 25, all of Columbus, Ohio, with transporting stolen goods, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

From January 2014 through June 2015, all five individuals allegedly conspired with one another to steal primarily smart phones, tablets, head phones, games stations, and computers from Walmart, Target, and Meijer stores in eight different states, including West Virginia and Ohio. The value of the stolen goods are estimated to be in excess of $500,000.

Whyte, Morgan, Kionte Whatley, Marilyn Whatley, and McDonald are each charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstates Commerce.” Whyte, Morgan, Marilyn Whatley, and McDonald are also each charged with two counts of “Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property.” They face up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge and up to ten years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for each of the interstate transportation of stolen property charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbus, Ohio Police Department are investigating.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated June 22, 2016