As mail theft incidents continue to spike across the nation, federal prosecutors in the Western District of North Carolina are cracking down on these crimes with a more aggressive approach to investigations and prosecutions. U.S. Attorney Dena J. King has confirmed her office's commitment to combatting this surge, calling for heightened vigilance among residents and businesses to safeguard their mail. "Mail theft is not a victimless crime," King stated in a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing the disruptive impact of these offenses on the delivery of mail and the potential for resulting identity theft and financial fraud.
In a series of cases that has seen varying degrees of exploitation and deception, defendants, including some former postal employees, capitalized on their access to the postal system, leading to financial fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft. Among them, former postal employee Miguel Bridges pleaded guilty to stealing over 1,400 cell phones and selling them for profit. Meanwhile, charges remain pending for two other alleged conspirators in separate cases, including Ryan Bridges and Jaleesa Bridges, accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession of stolen mail, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Assistant Inspector-in-Charge Tommy D. Coke, of the Atlanta Division, highlighted the cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts as essential to the initiative's success. Efforts undertaken by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General (USPS-OIG), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office showcase the determination to prosecute postal service employees and their collaborators involved in such criminal activities.
Several cases have seen sentences handed down to the perpetrators, with penalties reflecting the severity of their crimes. For instance, John Calvin Davis, III, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a scheme involving stolen checks amounting to over $304,000. Similarly, Quadarius Thomas faced charges for possession of stolen mail and firearms, demonstrating the often-concurrent criminal behavior surrounding mail theft operations. The press release also detailed several additional cases, including sentences for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.
Given the continuing threat, the U.S. Attorney’s Office offers public advice on mitigating the risk of mail theft. Actions such as timely retrieval of mail, securing mailboxes, and reporting any suspicious behavior near mailboxes to law enforcement are essential steps to safeguard against these crimes. They also advocate for regular monitoring of financial statements and utilization of USPS services, such as Hold Mail when absent.
