North Charlotte Today

Federal prosecutors are intensifying efforts to combat the rising incidence of mail theft and prosecute offenders, according to Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is increasing prosecutions related to stolen mail and urging residents and businesses to take preventive measures.

“Mail theft is not a victimless crime,” said King. “Not only does it disrupt the delivery of important mail, but it can be a conduit to identity theft and financial fraud, with significant consequences for victimized individuals and businesses.”

The office has secured convictions against several defendants involved in crimes related to mail theft from residential and business mailboxes as well as processing centers. These crimes often lead to financial fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft.

“The safety and security of the U.S. mail and its customers are core to the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Inspector-in-Charge Tommy D. Coke of the Atlanta Division.

Jeffrey Krafels, Special Agent in Charge of the USPS-OIG, emphasized that most Postal Service employees are honest but warned that those who engage in criminal activity will be aggressively investigated.

Recent cases include:

- **U.S. v. Miguel Bridges et al.:** Miguel Bridges pleaded guilty to conspiracy for stealing cell phones from USPS parcels.

- **U.S. v. John Davis:** Davis was sentenced for executing a scheme involving stolen checks.

- **U.S. v. Quadarius Thomas:** Thomas pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and firearms.

- **U.S. v. Jessica Sowell:** Sowell pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and firearm possession.

- **U.S. v Douglas Gumbs:** Gumbs was sentenced for bank fraud involving stolen checks.

- **U.S v Tressa Baucom et al.:** Baucom awaits sentencing after pleading guilty; co-defendant Keziah was sentenced for conspiracy involving stolen mail.

- **U.S v Nakedra Shannon et al.:** Shannon stole checks totaling over $24 million; Gardner was sentenced while Shannon and Carter await sentencing.

- **U.S v Montavius Hancock et al.:** Hancock pleaded guilty; Gaston faces pending charges related to arrow keys used in mail thefts.

- **U.S v Jakia McMorris:** McMorris pleaded guilty for her role in stealing checks using a universal key.

- **U.S v Kyree Corbett:** Corbett was sentenced for robbery involving a postal employee's universal key.

Residents are advised to take steps such as promptly retrieving their mail, using secure mailboxes, avoiding sending cash through the mail, holding their mail when away from home, reporting suspicious activities near mailboxes, monitoring financial statements regularly, signing up for Informed Delivery services by USPS.

Stolen mails should be reported online at www.uspis.gov/report or by calling 877-876-2455 immediately after detection.