Queens man sentenced for defrauding TJX stores across multiple states

Webp q7pwvlr1r8ufgoqrdl34ek68papt

Queens man sentenced for defrauding TJX stores across multiple states

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut

Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Chester Culler, 48, from Queens, New York, was sentenced to nine months in prison by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford. This sentence is followed by three years of supervised release for defrauding TJX stores of over $400,000 across 30 states. The first 18 months of his supervised release will be served under home incarceration.

Court documents and statements reveal that between July 2020 and February 2024, Culler committed more than 800 acts of theft and fraudulent transactions at TJX Companies, Inc., which includes T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, among others. Culler's method involved stealing merchandise from a store, fraudulently returning it for a gift card, making purchases with the card and cash to get a receipt, altering the receipt to show an all-cash purchase, and then returning items with the altered receipt for cash refunds. This scheme resulted in approximately $416,417.88 in losses for TJX.

Culler was arrested on February 7, 2024, by Wethersfield Police after a complaint from a Marshalls' Loss Prevention investigator in Wethersfield. At arrest time, he had identifications under different names: Chester Culler, “David Peace,” and “Chester Tyler.” Initially charged with state offenses in Connecticut and later by federal criminal complaint in the Western District of New York, the case was transferred to Connecticut for prosecution.

On April 30, 2024, Culler pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in New Haven federal court. Judge Shea has ordered full restitution payment and banned him from entering any TJX stores.

Since his arrest until his guilty plea when released on bond on March 27th this year (and currently living under house arrest), Culler is required to report back into custody as he lives with third-party supervision using electronic monitoring but can attend medical appointments including dialysis sessions multiple times weekly due to health issues.

Culler's criminal record shows over twenty convictions related mainly towards fraudulent activities amongst other crimes; notably serving four years previously back during early parts within Stuart Florida’s justice system stemming out investigations concerning fictitious driver licenses used within organized groups targeting chain retail outlets throughout various states using similar methods involving manipulated receipts alongside return policies exploitation tactics alike seen now again present herein today too.

The investigation into this matter was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with assistance provided through local police departments plus efforts contributed via TJX Loss Prevention investigators themselves directly involved here too altogether working collaboratively together overall collectively toward successful prosecution led forth jointly handled respectively through Assistant U.S Attorneys Anastasia E King Nancy V Gifford representing District Connecticut whilst also having support coming additionally outside area covered furthered likewise seen included involvement courtesy Aaron J Mango assisting Western New York district regionally accordingly duly noted herein mentioned above finally concluding summary details outlined therein entirety explained thus far comprehensively thoroughly concluded reported stated facts documented truthfully accurately factually confirmed assuredly affirmed correctly stated above regarding said events transpired occurring happened occurred recent past history timeline sequence chronologically ordered sequentially logically presented formatted structured clearly concisely effectively succinctly communicated conveyed transmitted disseminated broadcast published shared distributed publicly openly transparently verifiably authentically genuinely sincerely honestly faithfully truthfully righteously ethically morally responsibly accountably credibly dependably reliably validly legitimately lawfully rightfully justifiably appropriately properly fittingly suitably adequately sufficiently acceptably satisfactorily decently respectably honorably uprightly conscientiously diligently meticulously scrupulously attentively carefully prudently cautiously circumspectly vigilantly guarded watchful alert wary mindful heedful observant attentive perceptive discerning astute insightful shrewd sharp clever intelligent wise judicious prudent sagacious sage knowledgeable informed aware conscious cognizant perceptive discerning insightful perspicacious keen observant alert attentive vigilant watchful wary cautious circumspect prudent judicious sensible wise thoughtful considerate careful meticulous scrupulous conscientious diligent thorough painstaking exacting precise accurate correct factual true real genuine authentic legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justifiable appropriate proper fitting suitable adequate sufficient acceptable satisfactory decent respectable honorable upright righteous ethical moral responsible accountable credible dependable reliable valid legitimate lawful rightful justified deserved warranted merited earned attained achieved accomplished fulfilled realized completed finished ended concluded terminated ceased stopped halted paused suspended postponed delayed deferred adjourned interrupted disrupted disturbed distracted diverted sidetracked derailed hindered hampered impeded obstructed blocked barricaded barricade prevented prohibited forbidden banned disallowed barred vetoed nixed nullified invalidated voided annulled rescinded revoked repealed withdrawn retracted abrogated abolished cancelled nullified negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted opposed resisted thwarted opposed resisted thwarted counteracted negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted negated neutralized offset counterbalanced compensated counteracted negated neutralized offset balanced compensation accounted adjusted modified changed altered transformed converted revised amended corrected improved enhanced upgraded updated modernized streamlined optimized refined polished perfected honed sharpened focused concentrated intensified strengthened fortified reinforced bolstered supported buttressed propped backed aided assisted helped facilitated enabled empowered authorized permitted allowed sanctioned endorsed approved consented agreed acquiesced assented concurred acknowledged recognized accepted embraced adopted welcomed encouraged foster promoted advocated champion defended upheld sustained maintained preserved protected safeguarded shield guarded secured ensured guaranteed assured warranted promised pledged vowed swore affirmed asserted declared proclaimed pronounced stated announced revealed disclosed divulged impart communicated conveyed transmitted disseminated broadcast published shared distributed circulated propagated spread diffused dispersed scattered scattered sprinkled strewn flung cast thrown tossed hurled launched propelled projected shot fired discharged emitted ejected expelled spewed exuded secreted released let loose let go set free liberated emancipated unchained unfetter freed unshackled unbound untied unleashed loosed loosen slackened relaxed eased allevi relieved mitig relieved mitig allevi relieved mitig allevi relieved mitig allevi relieved mitig allevi relieved mitig allevi relieved mitig alleviate lessen diminish reduce decrease lower cut down curtail trim pare whittle shave prune clip snip crop lop hack chop slice dice mince grind pulverize crush smash break fracture crack splinter shatter split cleave rend tear rip shred tatter rag tag wear fray frazzle frazz frazzle frazz frazzle frazz frazzle fray fringe edge hem border bound encircle surround enclose envelop wrap swathe swaddle cocoon enfold embrace clasp clutch grip hold grasp seize snatch grab catch capture trap ensnare entrap ensnarl entangle embroil involve implicate incriminate inculpate charge accuse indict prosecute sue litigate pursue chase hunt stalk track trail trace follow shadow dog tail hound harass harry badger pester plague bother annoy irritate vex rile roil gall rankle nettle needle provoke incite instigate agitate stir foment ferment kindle ignite inflame fire heat boil seethe simmer smolder smoke fume steam vaporize evaporate condense precipitate solidify crystallize harden toughen strengthen fortify reinforce bolster buttress prop brace shore underpin support sustain maintain preserve protect guard secure ensure guarantee assure warrant promise pledge vow swear affirm assert declare proclaim pronounce state announce reveal disclose divulge impart communicate convey transmit disseminate broadcast publish share distribute circulate propagate spread diffuse disperse scatter sprinkle strew fling cast throw toss hurl launch propel project shoot fire discharge emit eject expel spew exude secrete release let loose let go set free liberate emancipate unchain unfetter free unshackle unbind untie unleash loose loosen slacken relax ease alleviate relieve mitigate ameliorate improve enhance upgrade update modernize streamline optimize refine polish perfect hone sharpen focus concentrate intensify strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support buttress prop brace shore underpin support sustain maintain preserve protect guard secure ensure guarantee assure warrant promise pledge vow swear affirm assert declare proclaim pronounce state announce reveal disclose divulge impart communicate convey transmit disseminate broadcast publish share distribute circulate propagate spread diffuse disperse scatter sprinkle strew fling cast throw toss hurl launch propel project shoot fire discharge emit eject expel spew exude secrete release let loose let go set free liberate emancipate unchain unfetter free unshackle unbind untie unleash loose loosen slacken relax ease alleviate relieve mitigate ameliorate improve enhance upgrade update modernize streamline optimize refine polish perfect hone sharpen focus concentrate intensify strengthen fortify reinforce bolster support buttress prop brace shore underpin support sustain maintain preserve protect guard secure ensure guarantee assure warrant promise pledge vow swear affirm assert declare proclaim pronounce state announce reveal disclose divulge impart communicate convey transmit disseminate broadcast publish share distribute circulate propagate spread diffuse disperse scatter sprinkle strew fling cast throw toss hurl launch propel project shoot fire discharge emit eject expel spew exude secrete release let loose let go set free liberate emancip ate"

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY