Attorney General James Uthmeier Secures Guilty Convictions for Members of Tampa Baby Formula Theft Ring

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured guilty convictions of Eshaud Suid and Sami Suid for racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering for their role in a theft ring. The criminal group stole baby formula from various retailers, including Publix, Walmart, and Winn-Dixie, in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, Lake, Pasco, Sumter, Levy, Marion, Sarasota, Volusia, Orange, and Citrus counties. The defendants participated in funneling the goods to a third party who would sell the stolen baby formula to others. In total, the group caused more than $67,000 in losses.

“While parents were finding empty shelves for their hungry babies, these guys transported stolen baby formula to others who would sell the stolen goods,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners and Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Colleen Monroe and Cristina Castillo, this criminal enterprise was thwarted, and our office ensured that the last delivery for these criminals is to a state prison.”

According to the joint investigation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Eshaud and Sami would sell stolen items taken from stores by the larger theft ring. Other group members would bring the stolen baby formula to be stored at the defendants’ residence. Then Eshaud and Sami coordinated with a buyer for the stolen goods and delivered the items to a convenience store in Tampa. 

Eshaud Suid was found guilty of racketeering and conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, both first-degree felonies. Sami Suid was convicted of racketeering, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and an additional charge of dealing in stolen property, a second-degree felony.

Eshaud Suid and Sami Suid face up to 60 and 75 years in prison, respectively. 

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