PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with an organized theft ring that targeted multiple T-Mobile retail stores in Palm Beach County, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
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Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 38-year-old Samuel Drummond, the latest suspect linked to a scheme that allegedly resulted in more than $500,000 in stolen goods from the franchise.
The investigation began after T-Mobile and UPS representatives alerted detectives on Oct. 31, 2024, following a series of high-value thefts.
According to investigators, the theft ring focused on packages bound for T-Mobile stores, with losses dating back to July 2024. By Oct. 8, authorities said they had traced the stolen merchandise — some of which ended up in California — to a UPS hub in Riviera Beach.
Detectives said their investigation uncovered a fencing operation run through GoalMind Studios, a recording studio and cellphone repair shop in Lantana, which was allegedly used to sell the stolen property. PBSO deputies issued four arrest warrants and executed a search warrant at the business.
Investigators said Drummond, the studio’s owner, was attempting to flee the country when authorities arrested him, a week after taking Giffton White, 36, Sheldon Brown, 38, and Christopher Palmer, 36, into custody.
Deputies said each suspect faces first-degree felony charges, including conspiracy to commit racketeering, organized scheme to defraud $50,000 or more, dealing in stolen property, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. White, Brown, and Drummond also face a grand theft charge of more than $100,000, while Palmer is charged with grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000, according to jail records.
T-Mobile’s documented losses totaled more than $269,000 as of Wednesday, according to authorities.
