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Charlotte Attorney Represents Defendant in High-Profile LEGO Theft Case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man is at the center of a major organized-retail-crime investigation involving the alleged resale of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen LEGO sets. The defendant, Ryan Thomas Cahill, has been charged in federal court as the suspected “fence” in a sophisticated theft ring targeting major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble.

According to court filings and investigative reports from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, authorities began tracking the case in late 2023 after identifying a large-scale pattern of stolen LEGO merchandise being sold online. Investigators allege that Cahill received and resold the items through online platforms including eBay, under the name “brikbybrik”, and Facebook Marketplace, with total sales reportedly exceeding $225,000.

Search-warrant affidavits describe surveillance operations showing stolen LEGO sets being delivered directly to Cahill’s residence shortly after coordinated thefts. The ongoing federal case has attracted national media attention, highlighting the growing concern over organized retail theft across the U.S.

Representing Cahill is Charlotte Business Group member John J. Dowling III, Esq., an experienced local white collar criminal defense attorney known for his thoughtful and strategic approach to complex cases. In a statement to the media, Dowling described his client as “an upstanding member of the community… an avid LEGO enthusiast who has been falsely accused of wrongdoing in this case. We look forward to clearing his name at trial before a jury of his peers later this year.”

Cahill has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

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Proudly Representing the Charlotte Legal Community

At Charlotte Business Group, we’re proud to highlight the exceptional work of our members, professionals like John J. Dowling III who bring integrity, diligence, and expertise to their fields. His involvement in this high-profile case underscores both the depth of legal talent within Charlotte and the value of principled advocacy in protecting the rights of clients facing complex allegations.

We commend John for his professionalism and commitment to upholding due process, and we look forward to following this case as it continues to unfold.

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Connect with John J. Dowling III