A Mabelton man was sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in federal prison on charges related to more than $2 million in goods stolen from tractor-trailer trucks and container storage areas throughout the Southeast.
John Raymond Smith, known as Johnny Ray, pleaded guilty to money laundering in addition to his admission in federal court last June 2 to conspiracy and buying, selling and possessing stolen goods that were taken between May 2005 and July 2009.
He was fined $993,900 and will have to spend three years on probation after he has served four years and two months in prison.
According to information presented in court, Smith Sales Co. operated out of warehouses in Mableton and Hiram.
Smith and Robin Cheatwood, who operated a business called A-Z Discount in Cedartown, conspired to buy and then sell items that were stolen from tractor-trailers and containers parked at truck stops, motels and storage facilities in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The items stolen were being shipped to major retailers such as Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Target, Wal-Mart, OfficeMax and Office Depot.
Smith and Cheatwood, who pleaded guilty in federal court on Sept. 11, 2009, sold the goods at a discount to individuals and wholesalers.
Some items were recovered.
The stolen goods found included brand name televisions and computers valued at $123,000, Casio electronics worth $164,000, GT One cigarettes valued at $100,000, computerized Husqvarna and Pfaff sewing machines worth $450,000, cans of Starkist tuna that cost about $86,000, Carter’s baby clothes valued at about $40,000, and Wrigley’s chewing gum valued at $64,000.
The continuing investigation involves the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the IRS and several local law enforcement agencies.
Anyone who sees suspicious activity that may be related to large-scale thefts should call the GBI’s Major Theft Unit at 404-244-2600.
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