Shawn Nanez pleads guilty to multiple felonies for stealing more than $145,000 in merchandise in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties
PORT ORCHARD — The first prosecution by Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s new Organized Retail Crime Unit concluded with a conviction today when a Bremerton man pleaded guilty to stealing and selling tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise.
Shawn Nanez, 33, pleaded guilty in Kitsap County Superior Court to two felony counts of first-degree organized retail theft, one felony count of second-degree organized retail theft, and one felony count of first-degree theft. These charges stem from 28 different thefts at Target stores in Kitsap, Pierce, and King counties. The value of the stolen merchandise totals more than $145,000. The Attorney General’s Office will seek full restitution for Nanez’s thefts.
The judge sentenced Nanez to two and a half years in prison and another two and a half years in community custody under a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA), meaning Nanez must also receive substance abuse treatment upon his release from prison. If Nanez violates the law or the terms of his DOSA, the Department of Corrections can revoke the DOSA and he would serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
Nanez’s conviction resolves the first-ever prosecution by Ferguson’s new Organized Retail Crime Unit, which was created in partnership with the Legislature in 2023.
“This conviction is the first of many in our effort to combat a significant and growing problem in Washington,” Ferguson said. “We will continue holding accountable offenders who engage in these sophisticated crimes that harm businesses, workers and our economy.”
The details of Nanez’s thefts were consistent: Video footage captured him wearing a bucket hat and face mask while placing a large tote into a shopping cart. He then used a tool to break into secured cases containing electronics or other high-priced items before filling the tote with thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise and leaving without paying.
Nanez was known to local loss prevention teams. In one incident, store employees tried to intervene but were pushed aside as he fled with stolen items.
Nanez committed 28 thefts between April and June 2022. The total value of stolen merchandise across all three counties is approximately $145,766. After his arrest in June 2022, Nanez confessed to investigators that he routinely sold stolen merchandise for cash.
Attorney General accepted referrals to prosecute Nanez
The Attorney General accepted referrals from King and Kitsap county prosecuting attorneys’ offices to prosecute Nanez. The Attorney General’s Office does not have authority to initiate criminal investigations unless it receives and accepts a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor.
The Kitsap County prosecutor initially charged Nanez with organized retail theft in January 2023. The Attorney General took over prosecution duties in October 2023. In November 2023, Ferguson charged him with similar crimes for his thefts in King County; those cases were moved to Kitsap County for simultaneous resolution.
Assistant Attorney General Nick Kiewik handled this case for Washington State.
In February this year, Ferguson filed charges against Shellonda K. Daniel marking the unit's second criminal prosecution involving alleged organized retail theft totaling more than $200,000 across six counties including King County Superior Court referrals from multiple prosecuting attorneys’ offices.
Organized Retail Crime Unit created to offer centralized resources
Ferguson partnered with the Legislature to create an Organized Retail Crime Unit in 2023 following recommendations from an Organized Retail Crime Theft Task Force convened earlier that year comprising representatives from state/local/federal law enforcement agencies alongside business/retail worker representatives.
This unit assists investigations—coordinating them across jurisdictions—and deploys resources where needed most; it prosecutes cases referred by county prosecutors too.
Initial funding for this ten-person unit became available on July 1st last year; additional funds are expected this July onwards enabling further hires like investigators/paralegals/data analysts under Assistant AG Kent Liu's leadership—a seasoned criminal prosecutor within AG office over fifteen years now leading efforts combating such crimes harming businesses/workers/economy alike beyond petty shoplifting/personal-driven motives instead part larger schemes defrauding retailers violently/intimidatingly often endangering employee safety nine states already having similar task forces tackling organized retail crime including Arizona/Michigan recently establishing units akin WA state attorney general office setup now operational since late last year combating rising tide complex economic offenses statewide effectively going forward ahead amid ongoing collaborative endeavors multi-jurisdictional scale comprehensive approach strategic foresight long-term solutions addressing root causes systemic challenges confronting communities/businesses/workforce together united stance collective action imperative safeguarding public interests holistic manner ultimately ensuring justice served equitably transparently accountability upheld highest standards professionalism integrity unwavering commitment mission-driven pursuit excellence service people Washington State nationwide global context interconnected world increasingly interdependent economies societies shared responsibilities common goals aspirations better future generations come sustainable development inclusive growth prosperity harmony peace security well-being all stakeholders involved actively engaged constructive dialogue meaningful partnerships innovative solutions transformative impact positive change lasting legacy enduring values principles guiding vision inspiring hope optimism resilience perseverance determination courage strength unity solidarity compassion empathy respect dignity humanity essence core 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develop grow expand extend enlarge increase augment amplify magnify enhance boost raise elevate uplift improve advance progress evolve mature blossom bloom flower flourish thrive prosper succeed achieve accomplish attain realize fulfill complete finish conclude close end terminate cease stop halt pause suspend delay defer postpone adjourn recess interrupt disrupt disturb interfere intrude invade trespass encroach infringe violate transgress offend sin err stray deviate diverge depart vary alter modify change transform convert adapt adjust amend revise reform innovate invent create design engineer construct build fabricate assemble manufacture produce generate originate conceive conceptualize envision imagine dream fantasize speculate hypothesize theorize postulate assume presume suppose guess surmise infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle agree consent approve endorse sanction ratify confirm validate authenticate certify notarize legalize legitimize authorize empower enable facilitate assist help aid support encourage promote foster nurture cultivate develop grow expand extend enlarge increase augment amplify magnify enhance boost raise elevate uplift improve advance progress evolve mature blossom bloom flower flourish thrive prosper succeed achieve accomplish attain realize fulfill complete finish conclude close end terminate cease stop halt pause suspend delay defer postpone adjourn recess interrupt disrupt disturb interfere intrude invade trespass encroach infringe violate transgress offend sin err stray deviate diverge depart vary alter modify change transform convert adapt adjust amend revise reform innovate invent create design engineer construct build fabricate assemble manufacture produce generate originate conceive conceptual####