Two Columbus, Ohio men sentenced for transporting stolen items across state lines

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men from Columbus, Ohio were sentenced today for transporting stolen goods across state lines, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Maurice L. Whyte, II, 23, and Kionte Whatley, 19, were each sentenced to 34 months in prison. Whyte and Whatley conspired to steal smart phones, tablets, head phones, game 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. They each pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstate Commerce” in October 2016. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbus Police Department investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.