A Stoughton man, Kenneth Demosthene, has entered a plea of guilty to armed robberies targeting USPS workers, as detailed in court documents from a federal proceeding in Boston. According to a report earlier this week by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the 24-year-old man's charges stem from two separate incidents in November and December 2022, during which Demosthene, alongside his alleged accomplice, Myesha Lewis, intimidated and forcibly took possession of "arrow keys" from postal employees. These keys provide access to multiple mail collection boxes, making them particularly valuable for thieves targeting mail.
In one of the robberies, which occurred in Mattapan on November 29, 2022, Demosthene reportedly told the postal worker, "I'm going to need your master key," before snatching the key, which was tethered to the carrier with a brass chain. The robbery was violent enough allegedly to pull the victim off the front steps, carrying a chain with a brass key, leading to a haste-filled escape by Demosthene and Lewis in a rental car. The Hyde Park incident was similar, happening on December 16, 2022, when they again targeted a USPS letter carrier, this time at knife point, the letter carrier complying as the key was forcibly cut from the chain and taken, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Such robberies are a growing concern for federal authorities, with the Boston area seeing a spike in related crimes. These incidents include not only the theft of mail but also direct confrontations with postal employees—over 23 assaults have been reported since July 2022. In responding to these violations, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward highlighted the gravity of these crimes and the collaborative efforts of federal agencies in pursuing justice.
As for the fallout of these events, Demosthene's plea covers several charges, including robbery and assault of federal employees, with potential sentences that could amount to decades in prison and hefty fines. With the trial ongoing, as Demosthene awaits his sentencing scheduled for October 22, 2024, the remaining defendant Lewis is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit.
