Milwaukee mail theft 'Scamily' leader sentenced to federal prison
The Brief
A man described as the head of a so-called "Scamily" has been sentenced to prison.
Federal prosecutors said the group robbed mail carriers and washed checks.
The 22-year-old was charged in both federal and state court.
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man, described as the crime ring leader of a so-called "Scamily" that robbed mail carriers and washed checks, has been sentenced to federal prison.
In Court
Federal prosecutors said 22-year-old Huria Abu was sentenced to 12 years and four months in prison. After prison, he will spend five years on supervised release.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
Abu, among others, was also charged in Milwaukee County in addition to the federal case. On Friday, court records show he reached a plea deal and was sentenced to two years in state prison and three years of extended supervision.
The backstory
Between October 2022 and April 2023, mail from around 50 mailboxes was stolen from Shorewood and Milwaukee's northeast side. Court filings said the "Scamily" robbed mail carriers at gunpoint and used stolen keys to get into the mailboxes.
When police raided a home in Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood in January 2023, prosecutors said they found guns, drugs, cash and arrow keys stolen in December 2022. Boxes of blank checks, mail, acetone to remove ink from checks and 900 checks from 42 different places – made out to hundreds of people totaling more than $500,000. They also found branded "Scamily" merchandise.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Dig deeper
Federal prosecutors filed charges against eight members of the "Scamily." In addition to Abu, four men have already been sentenced for their individual roles in the case:
Jessie Cook, 21: Sentenced in August 2024 to seven years and 10 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release
Abdi Abdi, 24: Sentenced in April 2024 to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
Darrion Allison, 24: Sentenced in November 2024 to six years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release
Abdi Baba, 27: Sentenced in July 2024 to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
In the federal sentencing for one of the defendants, one mail carrier wrote: "I enjoy my job as a mail carrier. To bring the American people their mail and correspondence is a great honor to uphold." But then said: "The day that I was robbed at gunpoint by these troubled souls was terrifying" and "my trust for people outside my family, and friends, is gone."
The Source
Information in this report is from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Milwakuee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kidnappings tied to dating apps in Mexico, US embassy warns
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico is warning that some American tourists in the country have been kidnapped by people they met on dating apps in recent months. According to a June 2 press release from the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, kidnappings were confirmed in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, two popular beach destinations in the country. "Victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release," the embassy said. "Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area." Officials urged tourists to exercise caution when meeting strangers, and to meet them in public spaces, avoiding isolated areas like houses or hotel rooms. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Mexico. Jalisco is under a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" due to crime and kidnapping, while Nayarit is under a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" due to crime. According to the press release from the embassy, officials gave the following recommendations to stay safe: Be cautious if using online dating apps in Mexico. Meet only in public places and avoid isolated locations. Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including where you are going, details of the person you are meeting and the app you used to meet them. Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, do not hesitate to remove yourself from a situation. In case of emergency, call 911. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Embassy warns of kidnappings tied to dating apps in Mexico
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
Kidnappings tied to dating apps in Mexico, US embassy warns
Kidnappings tied to dating apps in Mexico, US embassy warns Show Caption Hide Caption Flying is the safest way to travel according to global safety experts Flying is the safest way to travel, according to experts. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico is warning that some American tourists in the country have been kidnapped by people they met on dating apps in recent months. According to a June 2 press release from the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, kidnappings were confirmed in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, two popular beach destinations in the country. "Victims and their family members in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release," the embassy said. "Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area." Officials urged tourists to exercise caution when meeting strangers, and to meet them in public spaces, avoiding isolated areas like houses or hotel rooms. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Mexico. Jalisco is under a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" due to crime and kidnapping, while Nayarit is under a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" due to crime. US Embassy offers safety tips in Mexico According to the press release from the embassy, officials gave the following recommendations to stay safe: Be cautious if using online dating apps in Mexico. Meet only in public places and avoid isolated locations. Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including where you are going, details of the person you are meeting and the app you used to meet them. Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, do not hesitate to remove yourself from a situation. In case of emergency, call 911. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mexican national sent back to L.A. to face murder charge in 2013 road-rage slaying
A Mexican National who was on the run for more than a decade is back in Los Angeles to face murder charges in connection with a 2013 slaying in the Arleta neighborhood, the FBI announced Tuesday. Luis Alberto Gutierrez Tejeda, 33, was arrested last year in Guadalajara, Mexico, and was awaiting formal extradition to the United States until arriving in Los Angeles on Friday, a news release from the FBI stated. Tejeda, a San Fernando Valley gang member known as 'Green Eyes' whose last known U.S. address was in Sylmar, was wanted for allegedly shooting a man to death during a July 2013 road rage incident. Originally identified only as Luis Alberto Gutierrez during the initial investigation, Tejada had worked at a North Hollywood business and began 'acting aloof' and changing his appearance in the days after the shooting, his employer told police at the time. Investigators said he then abandoned his job and had been 'on the run ever since.' The FBI's Fugitive Task Force was asked to assist in locating and apprehending Tejada once it was known he had fled the U.S. After more than ten years on the run, Tejada was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in October 2024. In May, the Fugitive Task Force was notified that Gutierrez Tejada would be turned over to American authorities on May 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
