Memphis man pleads guilty in federal case tied to stolen Water Piks shipment headed for Amazon

Guilty plea entered in cargo-theft case investigated by federal authorities

A Memphis man has pleaded guilty in a federal case involving a stolen shipment of Water Piks, a consumer oral-hygiene product, after investigators traced the stolen goods to online resale activity.

Gregory Luss, 44, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026, to a charge described in court filings as possession of stolen goods. The case followed an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

What investigators say happened

Federal authorities stated that the case began with a semi-tractor trailer carrying Water Piks that was headed for Memphis. The shipment was reported stolen on October 20, 2023, from a location identified as Bledsoe Cove. Authorities said the theft occurred before the shipment reached its intended destination at Amazon.

After the theft, federal officials said Luss created an eBay account and listed the products for sale the same day the shipment was stolen, an action that became a central element of the investigation described in court-related materials.

• Defendant: Gregory Luss, 44, of Memphis

• Plea date: March 3, 2026

• Theft date alleged by authorities: October 20, 2023

• Destination cited by authorities: Amazon

• Sales platform cited by authorities: eBay

Potential sentence and what happens next

Luss faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison. Federal officials also emphasized that there is no parole in the federal system, meaning any prison term imposed would be served under federal rules governing supervised release rather than parole eligibility.

Sentencing in federal court typically follows preparation of a presentence investigation report and arguments from prosecutors and defense counsel, with the final sentence determined by a judge within the framework of federal statutes and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Why cargo theft draws federal attention in Memphis

Federal prosecutors described cargo theft as a disruption to interstate commerce in Memphis, a major logistics hub where a large volume of goods moves by truck, rail, and air. In public statements tied to the case, officials said thefts from shipping containers and related facilities can interfere with commercial supply chains and increase costs for businesses and consumers.

The case centers on a stolen interstate shipment and the alleged rapid resale of goods through an online marketplace.

The guilty plea resolves the question of guilt on the charged conduct, but the length and conditions of any sentence will be decided at a later court hearing.