Attorney General Dave Sunday has revealed that charges have been laid against two FedEx employees from Delaware County for orchestrating a cellphone theft scheme. Lahneir McBride and Cahron Wilmore, both aged 25, are accused of stealing cellphones from shipments and working with co-conspirators to sell the stolen goods.
They face felony charges including corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and criminal solicitation. Seven others involved in selling the stolen phones also face similar charges. All nine individuals are currently in custody.
The investigation by the Office of Attorney General found that McBride and Wilmore allegedly stole at least 181 phones valued at around $173,000. These were sold at EcoATM kiosks, yielding $57,000 in profits for the group. Sellers reportedly received between $200 to $300 per phone.
Attorney General Sunday commented on the case, stating that the Organized Crime Unit has been dismantling such rings that deceive consumers and induce market price hikes. “This criminal enterprise involved thefts of high-priced smartphones and the recruitment of dozens of sellers, who executed the transactions while the two ringleaders watched,” he remarked.
The scheme reportedly began soon after McBride and Wilmore were hired by FedEx in the summer, running from late June to September 2024. Investigators traced the sales back to a Linwood warehouse linked to the duo, thanks to documentation and photographs captured by EcoATM machines.
The other accused in the case are Latoria McBride (Lahneir’s mother), Albert Payne, Lamiyah Young, Janiya Monae Wilmore, Ciani Wilmore, Danasia Jackson, and Lamarr Taylor. The prosecution will be handled by the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Crime Section. It is important to note that charges are allegations at this stage, and all the defendants remain innocent until proven guilty.