eBay RICO Scammer Lands 10-Year Sentence

Atlanta resident John Robert McGhee has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a RICO conspiracy on eBay, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown.

McGhee, 41, pleaded guilty to buying and selling stolen items on the online marketplace, and his sentence was handed down by Chief Judge William Steele.

Initially, McGhee was allowed to remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, but his release was revoked after he was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for being in possession of nearly $1 million worth of stolen Spanx.

As a result of his arrest, McGhee did not receive the benefit of acceptance of responsibility points for his guilty plea in the calculation of his sentencing guideline range nor did he receive consideration for a substantial assistance motion.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Griffin prosecuted the case, which stems from an eBayProAct team investigation.

McGhee’s 10-year sentence is a significant blow to those involved in organized crime, and serves as a reminder that the law will not tolerate such activities.