Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrest in Multi-County Organized Retail Theft Scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Keith Wallis, 39, of Palm Beach, on two counts of felony organized retail theft, three counts of felony dealing in stolen property, and one count of felony money laundering.
“Florida has the number one economy in the nation because of our commitment to law and order,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Organized retail theft drives up prices for consumers, and that is not a result we are going to tolerate. These schemes will be met with the maximum punishment allowed under the law.”
“This arrest send a clear message that organized retail theft, no matter how coordinated or far-reaching, will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted,” said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “Those who profit from stealing in our communities will be held accountable.”
This investigation was led by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution with assistance from Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Between July 2025 and February 2026, Wallis committed 75 thefts at multiple Target locations, spanning from Orlando to Miami. In each theft, Wallis would select multiple large boxes of trading cards, as well as an equal number of 99-cent taco seasoning packets. Wallis would then proceed to the self-checkout, where he would pay for only the seasoning packets. He then sold the stolen trading cards on his eBay account.
These thefts resulted in a loss of over $10,000 for Target. Wallis generated almost $40,000 in revenue from selling the stolen goods.
This investigation is ongoing, and investigators believe Wallis committed additional thefts at Walmart and Publix locations.
If he is found guilty on all charges, Wallis faces up to 90 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Chris Olowin and Monique Wilson will prosecute the case in Florida’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.
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