Ten-Year Sentence In RICO eBay Fraud Case

MOBILE, AL-- United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown announced today that John Robert McGhee, an Atlanta, Georgia area resident, who previously pleaded guilty to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d), was sentenced today to a term of ten years imprisonment by Chief Judge William Steele.

McGhee, who admitted his involvement in buying and selling stolen items, was initially allowed to remain on conditions of release pending sentencing. His release was revoked after he was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) when found in possession of close to a million dollars of stolen Spanx. Thereafter, McGhee did not receive the benefit of acceptance of responsibility points for his guilty plea in the calculation of his sentencing guideline range nor did he receive consideration for a substantial assistance motion.

The case arose from an investigation by the United States Secret Service, who were assisted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The eBayProAct team also assisted the Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah Griffin.