GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A Benton Harbor man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for leading a nationwide wire fraud conspiracy targeting Walmart, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Adarius Ferguson, 31, was sentenced for the retail theft and wire fraud scheme that took place at hundreds of Walmart stores in 38 states.

According to case documents, Ferguson and his codefendants would steal expensive electronics, purchase electronics matching those stolen, alter the receipts of the purchased items, and use those altered receipts to conduct returns of both the stolen and purchased goods to get double the return value for each item.

In total, the group stole over $275,000 in Walmart electronics and conducted fraudulent returns of more than $400,000.

Some Walmart store associates had their Walmart keys stolen from their hands as they opened electronic cases for defendants as well as their vests, name tags, and store radios, according to U.S. Attorney Mark Totten.

One associate needed emergency medical treatment after being assaulted during a theft, according to reports.

Six other men were sentenced in connection to the crime, five of whom are from Benton Harbor:

• Christopher Campbell, 23, of Benton Harbor - 2 years and 6 months
• Joshawn Wilson, 23, of Benton Harbor - 2 years
• Jaylen Sulton, 21, of Benton Harbor - 2 years and 3 months
• Tipton Lamar Walker, 22, of Benton Harbor - 1 year and 6 months
• Marquis Davis, 24, of Benton Harbor - 2 years and 6 months
• Elisha Vary, 22, of Jackson - 3 years and 5 months