Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged two women from Milwaukee for their alleged involvement in a multi-county theft ring. The charges come from an investigation by Raoul’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
Ashley Williams, 28, faces multiple charges including one count of organized retail crime, a Class 2 felony; one count of being an organizer of a continuing financial crimes enterprise, a Class X felony; and other related charges. If convicted, she could face significant prison time. Williams is scheduled to appear in court on October 18.
Schantasia Abernathy, 29, has also been charged with similar offenses. She pleaded not guilty and will appear in court on the same date as Williams.
“Organized retail crime increases prices on goods for shoppers and fuels other types of criminal activity,” said Raoul. “I am proud of the partnerships we are making with my office’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force and I will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable.”
The Attorney General's office alleges that between January and May 2023, Williams was involved in over a dozen retail thefts and was joined by Abernathy in three thefts across four counties. They allegedly stole perfume and clothing worth thousands of dollars from Ulta Beauty and Victoria’s Secret stores. It is further alleged that Williams resold the stolen items through her Instagram account.
The Geneva Police Department assisted in the investigation. Deputy Chief Brian Maduzia expressed gratitude for the collaboration: “All personnel from his office were extremely helpful with this investigation that led to a successful law enforcement outcome... Collaborative efforts like this one help strengthen the Geneva Police Department’s ability to serve and protect our community.”
Raoul’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force aims to improve cooperation among retailers, online marketplaces, law enforcement agencies, and state attorneys. It allows for better data sharing and cross-jurisdictional investigations into organized retail crimes.
In addition to forming the task force, Raoul introduced legislation signed into law in 2022 to define organized retail crime more clearly within state law. This legislation strengthens oversight of online marketplaces and creates tools for better coordination among enforcement agencies.
The Organized Retail Crime Grant Program has awarded $5 million annually since Fiscal Year 2023 to support state attorneys’ offices and law enforcement agencies investigating these crimes.
Assistant Attorney General Kiran Gupta is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.
The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.