Man gets year in prison for stealing $72K for Target stores

U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins sentenced Chavito Ferguson on Thursday to 12 months and one day in prison for stealing about $72,000 from Target stores across nine states.

Ferguson pleaded guilty in September to four counts of wire fraud, which he was indicted for in April. His indictment stated that Ferguson stole from Target stores throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, New York, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina and elsewhere.

According to testimony given in a previous hearing, Ferguson used counterfeit licenses and checks to buy expensive items from Target. He would later return the items to different Target stores for cash.

Laton Greenlee, an officer with the Secret Service specializing in white collar crime and fraud, testified that Ferguson said he got the idea from his now deceased hair dresser, who helped him get the licences and checks.

Man accused of defrauding Target free until trial

No identities were stolen, as Ferguson used made up names.

Greenlee also testified that Ferguson turned himself in.

"(Ferguson) was very forthcoming and polite. He seemed like he wanted to put all of this behind him," Greenlee said.

As part of his sentence, Ferguson will also have to repay Target what he stole.

“You may have heard this time and time again, but I am remorseful for what I’ve done,” Ferguson said to Watkins.

Watkins responded by saying Ferguson had, “(brought) storms into the lives of other people because of (his) conduct.” He also said he felt sure that Ferguson could go back to being a good citizen if he chooses that path.

Kelsey can be reached at kodavis@gannett.com or follower her on Twitter @kdavistwelve