A Pittsburgh man was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy related to the sale and interstate transport of stolen goods. Durrell Waters, 41, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. Waters will also serve three years of federal supervised release after imprisonment.
A federal jury found Waters guilty on four counts of money laundering and one of conspiracy in August 2024. Before sentencing, Judge Hornak noted that the crime impacted various victims including those experiencing addiction, retail establishments, and consumers. Waters operated a criminal conspiracy over several years, according to Hornak, necessitating a significant prison sentence.
Waters was a primary owner of several resale businesses in Pittsburgh named Trader Electronics, Last Call Entertainment, and The Outlet. From 2013 to 2016, Waters and co-conspirators used these businesses to fence stolen goods. The items, consisting largely of health and beauty products and over-the-counter medications, were shoplifted by repeat offenders, purchased by these shops, and resold online, generating over $4.3 million.
The investigation highlighted the broader economic and public health effects of the scheme. High-volume retail theft imposes costs on consumers and contributes to stricter anti-theft measures in stores. Money paid to shoplifters often went towards drug addiction, exacerbating the drug crisis.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin C. Dobkin represented the government in this case. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, as well as police departments in Pittsburgh, Ross Township, and Shaler Township.
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