Chearia Broughton, a 38-year-old Detroit resident, was sentenced on April 17 to one year of incarceration by Judge Wanda Evans in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County for leading a high-volume theft ring that targeted Ulta Beauty stores across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Broughton pleaded guilty in March to conducting a criminal enterprise and was ordered to pay $29,698 in restitution to Ulta Beauty.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to combat organized retail crime. According to the official website, the Michigan Department of Attorney General focuses on serving Michigan residents through initiatives in public service and protection and advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations.
Broughton organized over thirteen “push-out” thefts at various Ulta Beauty locations during October and November 2023. In these incidents, groups entered stores together, grabbed high-value merchandise, and exited quickly into waiting vehicles. The total losses from these thefts exceeded $30,000. Investigators said Broughton sold stolen goods on Facebook Marketplace before being charged by the Department of Attorney General in November 2025.
The investigation involved collaboration between the FORCE Team—established by Nessel’s office in January 2023—and several law enforcement agencies including the Michigan State Police as well as police departments from Grosse Pointe, Novi, Canton, Troy, Allen Park, and Birmingham. The FORCE Team is described as a first-in-the-nation unit with embedded staff from the Department of Attorney General dedicated full-time to fighting organized retail crime. Recent partners have included major retailers such as Sam’s Club/Walmart and Meijer.
“When dismantling theft rings, we must investigate and prosecute organizers behind the scenes who profit from these crimes,” said Attorney General Nessel at the time of Broughton’s plea. “We remain committed to ensuring that those who lead these dangerous operations face the full weight of the law.”
According to its official website, Dana Nessel is Michigan’s 54th attorney general. The department has exercised statewide authority not only in safeguarding residents but also influencing policy such as drafting the Clean Slate law for expungement opportunities in 2019 according to its official website.