The Organized Retail Crime Unit of Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed two new felony criminal cases today, marking five prosecutions since the unit's establishment last year.
Victor J. Matt has been charged in Snohomish County Superior Court with two counts of first-degree organized retail theft, one count of first-degree identity theft, first-degree criminal impersonation, and forgery. The charges are related to seven thefts of outboard boat motors across King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. Matt allegedly posed as a public employee and used forged government documents to acquire the motors. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at $58,729.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Matt contacted businesses pretending to be a government official purchasing motors for a public agency. He used fake checks or forged purchase orders for these transactions. Several incidents involved Matt presenting a forged check bearing an illegitimate signature from the state treasurer. Surveillance footage captured most of these transactions.
In King County Superior Court, Jerrell Davis and Tahj Franklin have been charged with one count each of first-degree organized retail theft. These charges stem from nine thefts of high-end alcohol products at Fred Meyer and Safeway stores in King and Snohomish counties between July and September 2021. The defendants allegedly stole more than $10,400 worth of alcohol for resale by breaking into liquor cabinets with a flathead screwdriver and walking out without paying. Davis was reportedly recorded selling bottles from his car trunk in a Safeway parking lot.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 penalty for each count. The Attorney General’s Office will seek full restitution for both cases.
Organized Retail Crime Unit Chief Kent Liu and Assistant Attorneys General Katie Thomason and Theo Smith are handling these cases for Washington.
The affidavits of probable cause contain allegations only; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Attorney General’s Office can initiate criminal prosecutions only upon referral from county prosecutors or the governor. Referrals were accepted from King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
The Organized Retail Crime Unit was created by Ferguson in 2023 following recommendations from his Organized Retail Crime Task Force convened in 2022. This task force includes representatives from various law enforcement agencies and businesses.
Ferguson stated: “Organized retail theft is pervasive and the criminals orchestrating these schemes can be brazen. Our Organized Retail Crime Unit responds to a sophisticated problem with an equally sophisticated solution.”
Organized retail crime involves groups stealing products for resale profit rather than individual acts like shoplifting or petty theft driven by poverty.
Washington’s unit comprises ten members including two prosecutors and four investigators with plans to hire additional staff soon. Assistant Attorney General Kent Liu leads the unit.
Affidavit links:
- [Victor J. Matt](#)
- [Jerrell Davis and Tahj Franklin](#)