Indictment for Counterfeit Coupon Scheme Targeting Retailers

AG: Georgia Press Releases

Filed February 18th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced an indictment against Michael Justin Williams for a counterfeit coupon scheme targeting RaceTrac and Family Dollar. The indictment includes charges of RICO Act violation and forgery, stemming from fraudulent coupons used between June and July 2025.

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What changed

The Georgia Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit has secured an indictment against Michael Justin Williams in Douglas County for a counterfeit coupon scheme. The indictment alleges that between June 10, 2025, and July 9, 2025, Williams engaged in forgery targeting RaceTrac, Family Dollar, and Parker's Kitchen locations, using fraudulent coupons to significantly discount Newport cigarettes. The charges include one count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and six counts of Forgery.

This indictment signifies a proactive enforcement effort against organized retail crime in Georgia. While the document does not specify a compliance deadline for regulated entities, it highlights the state's commitment to prosecuting such schemes. Retailers and law enforcement are encouraged to collaborate with the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Unit. Non-compliance with laws against forgery and racketeering can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines, as indicated by the RICO charges.

What to do next

Review internal controls for coupon redemption and fraud detection.
Report suspicious coupon activity to relevant authorities.
Stay informed on state-level organized retail crime enforcement actions.

Penalties

Charges include Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and Forgery, which carry potential for significant prison sentences and fines.

Source document (simplified)

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Organized Retail Crime Unit has obtained a new indictment charging Michael Justin Williams in Douglas County.

As asserted in the indictment, between June 10, 2025, and July 9, 2025, Williams engaged in a pattern of forgeries targeting RaceTrac Inc., Family Dollar Stores, Inc., and The Parker Holding Company, LLC (Parker’s Kitchen) locations on 20 separate occasions. This includes stores in Mableton, Lithia Springs, Douglasville, Norcross, Forest Park, Atlanta, McDonough, East Point, Riverdale, Stone Mountain, Bogart, Pooler and Metter.

Specifically, the defendant is alleged to have made, altered, and possessed fraudulent coupons that purported to provide an unauthorized discount of $8 off one pack of Newport cigarettes – reducing the cost to below $2 per pack.

“If we want to remain the No. 1 state for business, then we have to address the rising threat of organized retail crime in our communities,” said Carr. “This is a multi-billion-dollar problem for retailers in all industries, and it’s leading to increased costs for Georgia consumers. That’s exactly why we created Georgia’s first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit, and we will ensure that criminals are held accountable.”

This case was investigated by asset protection teams with RaceTrac Inc., Family Dollar Stores Inc., and The Parker Holding Company, LLC, as well as various law enforcement agencies, including the Douglas Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, along with the help of the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit.

Douglas County Indictment

On Feb. 18, 2026, the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit presented evidence to a Douglas County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Michael Justin Williams. The specific charges against the defendant are listed below.

1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
6 counts of Forgery A copy of the indictment can be found

here. No further information about the investigation or the indictment may be released at this time by the Attorney General’s Office.

About the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit **** **

In 2024, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia’s first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit.

The Organized Retail Crime Unit works with retailers and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the criminal networks that are engaged in recurring thefts and acts of violence targeting businesses throughout the state.

Specifically, Georgia businesses are estimated to lose over $3 billion to retail theft annually, including $1.6 billion in stolen goods and $326 million in lost tax revenue, along with 17,000 lost jobs.

The Organized Retail Crime Unit is housed in the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, his Gang Prosecution Unit, and his White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit.

*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.

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