A Fayetteville man has received a 15-year sentence for mail theft and gun possession crimes. Darrell Alan Thompson, 35, was sentenced for stealing checks from postal boxes and for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. He will also serve five years of supervised release and must compensate the affected banks, as reported by the United States Attorney's Office.
The case began when United States Postal Inspection Service inspectors and Raleigh police received numerous complaints about mail theft and check fraud. They discovered that a Postal Service “arrow key” was being used illegally to access collection boxes. Checks were altered, and money was withdrawn from ATMs. Law enforcement identified Thompson through surveillance footage showing him breaking into and stealing from postal collection boxes in late 2022 and early 2023. According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Thompson was caught in the North Ridge Post Office parking lot in Raleigh, which led to his arrest.
Authorities found a 9mm pistol, a backpack with ammunition, about 180 stolen checks, and around 450 stolen American Express gift cards in Thompson's vehicle. U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. announced the 15-year sentence given by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The case was resolved through the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Raleigh Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig representing the government in the prosecution, as mentioned by the United States Attorney’s Office.
