Georgia – Attorney General Chris Carr has announced a new indictment in Walton County. It involves two Georgia residents who are accused of being part of a plot that stole T-Mobile devices worth more than $130,000. The allegations come from what authorities say was a pattern of theft and distribution that lasted for months, from April to September 2025. Charline Lashai Gatlin and Ivan Robert Stewart are both facing various charges related to racketeering and receiving stolen property.
According to prosecutors, Stewart, who used to work for UPS, was a key player in the alleged theft operation. He is suspected of stealing packages with T-Mobile phones and accessories while working at a UPS hub in metro Atlanta. The indictment says that such things were subsequently sent to Gatlin, who is thought to have been the conduit between Stewart and other others who were involved. According to officials, the accused gave the stolen goods to those who have not been named in the indictment. At least twice, Gatlin has been reported to have sold many phones from the stolen parcels through an ecoATM kiosk.
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Carr pointed out that activities like these lead to higher costs for regular people throughout Georgia. He also said that organized retail crime remains a rising problem for both stores and the police.
“Organized retail theft drives up costs for businesses and consumers, and we’re going after those responsible,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Thanks to our strong partnerships with UPS, T-Mobile, and other retailers and law enforcement throughout the state, we’re sending a strong message that this type of illegal activity won’t be tolerated in Georgia. We’re fighting each day to keep prices low, criminals behind bars, and our state No. 1 for business.”
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UPS said that the former employee was fired after the business worked with investigators, adding that it has a zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior. The Organized Retail Crime Unit, the Georgia State Patrol, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Atlanta Police Department all contributed with the case, according to officials.
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The indictment came from a Walton County Grand Jury on October 31, 2025. Under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Stewart, 32, of Atlanta, is facing two counts. Gatlin, 28, from Snellville, is facing four charges: two counts of racketeering and two counts of theft by receiving stolen property. Authorities warn that no more information will be made public for now as the case progresses through the courts.
