Two Atlanta men were sentenced to prison Monday for an elaborate “ticket-switching scheme” at Home Depot and Lowe’s, authorities said.
Charles Blackman, also known as Ralph Jones, and Quinton Williams were found guilty of lowering the prices of merchandise at the stores by changing the Universal Product Code so items could be purchased at lower prices, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in a news release.
The two would then return the items and receive their actual, higher retail price, the release said. They also used false information and fake identities.
Blackman, 58, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison followed by two years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay more than $1,269,000 in restitution to the stores.
Williams, 52, of Atlanta, was sentenced to time served followed by two years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay more than $269,000 in restitution.
The U.S. Secret Service, Woodstock police and Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office contributed to the case and investigation.
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