A Collier County couple each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to six conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Richard Murtaugh, 81, and Gail Murtaugh, 77, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, according to reports.
According to the plea agreement, beginning at least as early as Sept. 2020, the Murtaughs engaged in a scheme to steal merchandise from big box retailers and grocers in Collier and Lee counties.
Reports state their plan was to sell the stolen merchandise on their eBay store "dickandgail."
In 2021 and 2022, the Murtaughs were caught on store video surveillance stealing thousands of dollars worth of personal hygiene products, grooming supplies, nicotine products, over the counter medications and other merchandise from big box retailers and grocers in Southwest Florida.
Records indicate that between December 2020 and May 2022, the Murtaughs were paid $175,621.31 in profits by eBay for the sale of stolen goods.
In April 2022, the United States Postal Inspection Service executed a search warrant at the Murtaugh's home on Isle of Capri in Naples.
Inside the home, postal inspectors say they found thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise appearing to be the same or similar to the product they had been caught taking from various sellers.
Additionally, the Murtaugh's iPads were searched, which revealed photos that matched the listing photos of stolen goods on their eBay store.
As part of their guilty pleas, the Murtaughs have agreed to forfeit $175,621.31, which were the proceeds of the charged criminal misconduct.
A sentencing date has not been set at this time.
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