Florida couple pleads guilty to selling stolen goods through eBay

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — An elderly Naples couple pleaded guilty Tuesday to a scheme involving stolen merchandise that netted them more than $175,000 in sales through their eBay store, federal prosecutors said.

Richard Murtaugh, 81, and Gail Murtaugh, 77, admitted in court to engaging in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud by stealing merchandise from big box retailers and grocers in Collier and Lee. According to court records, the couple stole personal hygiene products, over-the-counter medications and other items and sold them on their eBay store, “dickandgail.”

The couple’s operation allegedly began in September 2020 and continued until May 2022. During this period, surveillance footage showed them stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, including whitening kits teeth, grooming products and drills, from retailers throughout Southwest Florida. eBay records showed the Murtaughs received more than $175,000 in payments for their sales of stolen goods during that period.

In April 2022, postal inspectors executed a search warrant at the Murtaugh home in Naples. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, investigators found stolen goods matching those seen in surveillance footage, and evidence on the couple’s iPads showed photos of items matching their eBay listings.

Each faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing dates to be determined.