SAN DIEGO, CA – A mother of three from San Diego will spend the next five years behind bars after a judge denied her probation request for orchestrating a multi-million dollar retail theft operation. Michelle Maac, who previously pleaded guilty, was sentenced to state prison on charges related to a scheme that targeted major beauty retailers.
The decision was handed down by San Diego County Judge Duane Mooring, who ruled that Maac must serve her entire five-year sentence in prison. Her husband, who was also implicated, negotiated a plea deal allowing him to serve only one year in custody, with the remaining four years on probation.
The couple’s arrest a year ago marked the culmination of an investigation into a sophisticated retail theft ring operating out of their Bonsall mansion. Michelle Maac admitted to managing a team of approximately a dozen individuals who stole high-end beauty products and handbags from popular stores like Ulta Beauty and Sephora.
These stolen goods were then sold online at significantly reduced prices, a venture that reportedly brought in over $8 million since 2012. In 2022 alone, the operation netted nearly $2 million, highlighting its scale and profitability.
Prosecutors emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting the impact on the retail industry and the meticulous planning involved in the thefts. The case has drawn attention to the growing issue of organized retail crime, which costs businesses billions annually.
The sentencing sends a clear message about the consequences of engaging in large-scale retail theft, with law enforcement officials committed to cracking down on similar operations. The case also underscores the challenges retailers face in safeguarding their merchandise against such schemes.
Michelle Maac’s imprisonment marks the end of a lucrative but illegal business that flourished for over a decade, leaving a trail of financial and emotional damage in its wake. The community now hopes this serves as a deterrent to others considering similar criminal endeavors.
As the Maac family adjusts to this new reality, the broader implications of organized retail theft continue to resonate, prompting calls for increased security measures and legislative action to protect businesses.