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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A husband-and-wife duo were convicted of running an organized retail theft scheme in St. Petersburg on Friday.
A release from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said that Robert and Jaclyn Dell operated a ‘transformation center’ in St. Pete that claimed to provide counseling and assistance to those recovering from drug addiction.
Robert, a former pastor at The Rock Church, along with his wife, Jaclyn, were arrested in August 2023 following a multi-departmental investigation.
Detectives determined that under the guise of counseling and assisting people recovering from drug addiction, the Dells coordinated a long-running, multi-million-dollar retail theft scheme targeting the Home Depot.
Detectives said that co-conspirators Jessica Wild and Daniel Mace stole power tools from Home Depot locations across Citrus, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.
The stolen merchandise was delivered to the Dells’ house nightly, where it was then sold online. The scheme generated over $2 million in illegal proceeds spanning over 8 years, from 2015-2013.
Following a two-week jury trial, Robert was found guilty as charged of RICO, dealing in stolen property, and Money laundering. He and his wife, Jaclyn, were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit RICO.
Robert faces up to 150 years and Jaclyn faces up to 30 years in prison.
Sentencing is set for March 13, 2025 in Pinellas County.
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