Detroit Woman Pleads Guilty to Organizing Retail Thefts

AG: Michigan News

Filed March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Cheaira Broughton pleaded guilty to organizing a retail theft ring targeting Ulta Beauty stores across metro Detroit. The enterprise caused over $30,000 in losses and operated through multiple "push-out" thefts in late 2023.

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What changed

Cheaira Broughton, 38, of Detroit, has pleaded guilty to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, for her role in organizing a theft ring that targeted Ulta Beauty stores in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The scheme involved multiple "push-out" thefts in October and November 2023, resulting in over $30,000 in losses to retailers. Broughton was charged in November 2025 and sold stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace.

This case highlights the Michigan Attorney General's FORCE Team's efforts to prosecute organizers of retail crime. Broughton is scheduled for sentencing on April 17, 2026. The investigation involved collaboration between state and local law enforcement agencies. Companies in the retail sector should be aware of the increasing focus on prosecuting the organizers behind organized retail crime, not just the individuals committing the thefts.

What to do next

Review internal controls for preventing organized retail crime.
Assess current partnerships with law enforcement for retail crime investigations.
Monitor sentencing outcomes for organizers of retail theft rings.

Penalties

Broughton faces up to 20 years in prison for Conducting a Criminal Enterprise.

Source document (simplified)

Detroit Woman Pleads Guilty to Organizing Ulta Thefts Across Metro Detroit

March 25, 2026

LANSING – Cheaira Broughton, 38, of Detroit, pled guilty on March 12 to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, for organizing a high-volume theft ring targeting Ulta Beauty stores in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Broughton was charged by the Department of Attorney General in November 2025.

Broughton organized a rash of “push-out” thefts perpetrated on Ulta Beauty retail locations throughout metro Detroit on more than 13 occasions in October and November 2023. The small, organized group was observed entering the storefront, grabbing as much high-value merchandise as they could carry or load into a shopping basket, and simply walking or running back out the front door into an awaiting getaway vehicle. Total losses to retailers connected to these thefts exceed $30,000. Broughton would then sell the stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace.

The investigation was a coordinated collaboration between the FORCE Team, corporate investigators, and state and local law enforcement, including the Michigan State Police and Grosse Pointe, Novi, Canton, Troy, Allen Park, and Birmingham police departments.

“When dismantling theft rings, we must investigate and prosecute organizers behind the scenes who profit from these crimes, and I am proud of my FORCE Team and our retail partners and law enforcement officers who helped stop this enterprise in its tracks and secure this conviction," said Attorney General Nessel. "We remain committed to ensuring that those who lead these dangerous operations face the full weight of the law.”

Broughton will be sentenced by Judge Wanda Evans in the 3 rd Circuit Court in Wayne County on April 17, 2026.

The FORCE Team was established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for a profit. Two assistant attorneys general serve the unit full time, working with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The FORCE team also partners with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit, unique in the 50 states as being the first such unit with embedded, dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.

The FORCE Team is dedicated to working collaboratively with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. FORCE is an acronym that stands for Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement. Recent corporate partners on investigations have included Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Amazon, and Lowe’s.

MI Newswire Attorney General Press Release Organized Retail Crime (FORCE) Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Press Secretary

agpress@michigan.gov

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