Michelle Mack, a 53-year-old woman from Bonsall, California, has pleaded guilty to charges of organized retail theft and conspiracy.

According to prosecutors, Mack orchestrated an $8 million cosmetics theft ring, recruiting women to steal high-demand makeup products from retailers like Ulta and Sephora, which she then sold on her Amazon store at discounted prices.

Mack, 53, and her husband, Kenneth Mack, both pleaded guilty to charges of organized retail theft and conspiracy to commit organized retail theft.

From their luxurious 4,500 square-foot mansion in Bonsall, near San Diego, Mack recruited a team of women to steal high-demand makeup products in bulk from retail stores. These stolen goods were then sold on her Amazon store at approximately half their retail price. In 2022 alone, Mack’s store generated nearly $2 million in revenue, with a total of about $6 million in the preceding years, according to state prosecutors.

Stockpiles of Stolen Makeup Found at Mack’s Residence

Authorities discovered stockpiles of packaged makeup ready for shipping at Mack’s residence. With assistance from Ulta and Sephora, investigators also recovered about $400,000 worth of products from homes involved in the case. The Macks were arrested in December at their estate, with their teenage daughters present.

Initially, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges but later reversed their decision and entered guilty pleas on June 17. As part of their plea agreement, the Macks accepted a white-collar crime enhancement, which could result in harsher penalties under California law, including potential state prison time and millions in restitution.

Read more at The Guardian.