Columbus, Ohio woman sentenced for transporting stolen items across state lines

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Marilyn Whatley, 38, of Columbus, Ohio was sentenced to 21 months incarceration for transporting stolen goods across state lines, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

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 from January to June 2015. The value of the stolen goods are estimated to be in excess of $500,000. She pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstate Commerce” in December 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.