In a recent court ruling, Michelle Mack, the mastermind behind a massive organized retail crime operation that targeted Ulta Beauty and other major retailers, has been sentenced to more than five years in a California state prison. Living in Bonsall, California, Mack was a central figure in a network of individuals who stole millions of dollars worth of merchandise from retailers like Ulta and Sephora.
Michelle’s husband, Kenneth, received a similar sentence and is currently serving time. However, as part of a plea deal, he will be released after one year and placed on probation and community service. Michelle Mack, on the other hand, will serve her sentence after her husband’s release to care for their children. In addition to the prison time, the couple has been ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to Ulta and Sephora, as outlined in the sentencing document.
Michelle Mack managed her criminal operation from a luxurious 4,500-square foot mansion in Bonsall, California. Authorities have stated that she oversaw a team of about a dozen individuals engaged in stealing merchandise from various retailers. Mack’s operation was so successful that she made millions by reselling the stolen items on Amazon through the “Online Makeup Store” to unsuspecting customers at significantly reduced prices.
Following the arrests in December, Michelle and Kenneth Mack pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a felony, organized retail theft, petty theft, and receiving stolen property. Investigators dubbed the theft ring the “California Girls” and identified Michelle as the leader of the group. They discovered that she had sold nearly $8 million in cosmetics through her Amazon store since 2012, with a substantial revenue of $1.89 million in 2022 alone.
Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell highlighted the real financial and human impact of organized retail crime in a recent interview with CNBC. He emphasized the toll it takes on associates and customers, in addition to the monetary losses suffered by retailers. The Macks and seven other members of the crime ring were initially charged with 140 felonies, with one defendant already receiving a three-year and four-month sentence.
The case of Michelle Mack and the Ulta Beauty crime ring serves as a reminder of the significant repercussions of organized retail crime. The sentence imposed on Mack and her associates underscores the seriousness of their criminal activities and the importance of combating such illegal operations in the retail industry.