Six individuals are facing charges in a scheme that stole checks worth millions from U.S. mailboxes and committed bank fraud. The indictment was unsealed today, revealing details of the elaborate operation that involved obtaining keys to unlock mailboxes, stealing checks, and then digitally or chemically altering them before depositing into accounts along the East Coast, with some transactions conducted through a third-party messaging app, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
The defendants, identified as Michael Edwards, Shakeemo Hill, William Hill, Alixandria Lauture, Shuron Malone, and Carlos Mercado, played various roles in the fraud ring that operated from at least January 2022 through July 2024, the leaders among them purchased postal keys, coordinated thefts and altered checks to evade capture; they even successfully stole approximately $176,000 in one night from the mail. While the indictment charges these individuals with crimes against the postal service and its clients, it should be noted that until proven guilty, they are presumed innocent under the law.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the significance of the mail system's integrity, stating "the six defendants charged today lined their pockets by stealing checks destined for hard working New Yorkers and others," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized that these crimes undermine public trust in the postal service and assured that those responsible will be held accountable.
The operation involved multiple tactics, including recruiting individuals to obtain bank account information. It targeted the everyday reliance on a system that handles not only documents but also people’s hard-earned money. Legal proceedings revealed how the defendants acquired keys, linked their actions to accounts under different names, and deposited altered checks. This illegal activity, thoroughly investigated by authorities, highlights the efforts of agencies working to protect public trust in essential services.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang and William K. Stone are leading the prosecution of this case, which also involved efforts by the Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. The chart containing names, ages, and potential maximum penalties for the defendants was disclosed for public record, although actual sentences will rest in the hands of the presiding judge.
