Former UPS Driver Charged in $130K Smartphone Theft Scheme, Georgia AG Says

Georgia’s Attorney General has announced a sweeping indictment against a former UPS driver accused of orchestrating a months-long scheme to steal valuable T-Mobile shipments worth more than $130,000. The charges come after a detailed investigation involving state authorities, corporate security teams, and shipping auditors who identified a suspicious pattern of missing high-value packages.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the former employee allegedly manipulated his delivery route and package-handling procedures to divert boxes containing smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. These shipments, destined for authorized T-Mobile retailers and distribution partners, never arrived — and investigators say the trail consistently led back to the same driver.

Prosecutors allege the thefts were not random but part of a deliberate and organized effort to profit from stolen goods. The indictment outlines multiple counts of theft by taking, trafficking stolen property, and violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Officials say the use of a delivery position to carry out the scheme demonstrates clear abuse of access and trust.
UPS initiated an internal review earlier this year after receiving repeated claims of missing T-Mobile shipments tied to a specific delivery route. When the discrepancies continued to grow, company investigators flagged the issue to law enforcement. Coordinated efforts between UPS, T-Mobile’s fraud division, and Georgia state authorities ultimately revealed a consistent pattern connecting the driver to the disappearances.

The Attorney General emphasized that thefts of this scale not only impact corporations, but also disrupt supply chains, inflate costs, and undermine consumer trust. Authorities noted that smartphones are among the most commonly trafficked stolen electronics due to high resale value and ease of off-market distribution.

While prosecutors did not reveal where the stolen devices ultimately ended up, investigators believe the former driver may have worked with others to resell the merchandise, either online or through in-person exchanges. Additional arrests or charges have not been ruled out as the investigation expands.
UPS issued a statement expressing full cooperation with authorities and reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy for employee misconduct. T-Mobile also acknowledged the investigation, thanking state officials for “swift and thorough action” to protect both the company and its retail partners.

If convicted on all charges, the former driver faces significant prison time and major financial penalties. The Attorney General’s Office says it intends to pursue restitution for the losses incurred by T-Mobile.

As the case moves forward, prosecutors say they hope the indictment sends a clear message: organized theft within supply chains — especially involving trusted industry roles — will be met with decisive legal action.