From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – A husband and wife pleaded guilty today for selling more than $300,000 in stolen items online, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis announced this week.
Christopher John Andrukaitis, 31, of Chelsea, and Holly Hollon, 38, of Chelsea, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods. Andrukaitis and Hollon are scheduled to be sentenced on November 30th.
According to the plea agreement, between September 2018 and October 2020, Andrukaitis and Hollon owned and operated the Sweet Tea Sunshine Shop, an online eBay business. The online business was operated out of their residence. Sweet Tea Sunshine Shop advertised products for sale, to include baby formula. The business received online orders for baby formula, and Andrukaitis and Hollon personally filled those orders. The baby formula was stolen from various retail stores throughout the Northern District of Alabama. The stolen baby formula was shipped through the U.S. Postal Service or Federal Express to customers throughout the United States. In total, the Sweet Tea Sunshine Shop generated more than $300,000 in proceeds from the sales. Andrukaitis and Hollon used the fraudulent proceeds for their personal benefit.
The United States Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force investigated the case along with the Alabaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark is prosecuting the case.
