Latest news with #PostalInspectionService
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
2 men sentenced in armed robbery of Southeast Michigan postal carriers
Two men have been sentenced in connection with a series of robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers, federal prosecutors announced. Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31, of Detroit, and Terrance Tucker, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, were each sentenced to seven years in federal prison. According to court documents, Tucker and Smith-Ellis allegedly robbed postal carriers at gunpoint in Northville Township and Taylor in September and October 2023, demanding that the carriers give up their USPS master keys, also known as "arrow keys." Police arrested Smith-Ellis and Tucker shortly after the two allegedly robbed a carrier in Northville. While searching a vehicle used by the two, investigators found firearms, gear and several credit cards belonging to other people, as well as a USPS key ring and an "arrow key." "The safety of postal employees is a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service," said Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Postal Inspection Service's Detroit Division. "Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who attempt or conspire to harm postal employees for personal gain: we will find you and we will ensure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We would also like to thank our local law enforcement partners for their invaluable assistance in this investigation." Livonia, Northville and Taylor police departments assisted the United States Postal Inspection Service in the investigation.
CBS News
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Fire at San Jose post office prompts response from about 50 firefighters
Fire crews responded to a fire at a South San Jose post office early Sunday morning, the San Jose Fire Department said. The fire happened just before 3 a.m. on the 6500 block of Crown Boulevard. A photo shared by the Fire Department shows what appears to be a vehicle inside the building. But the agency has not yet said what started the fire. About 50 firefighters were sent to the scene after a second alarm was called, and the fire was knocked down around 4:30 a.m., the Fire Department said. According to the United States Postal Service, the US Postal Inspection Service is investigating the incident.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
Canadian accused of mail fraud extradited to United States
The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference, May 6, 2025, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) A Canadian man has been extradited to the United States over alleged schemes involving what U.S. officials call fake prize notices and victims described as 'elderly and vulnerable.' In a notice published Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice and Postal Inspection Service announced that Albertan Patrick Fraser, 44, was transferred to American law enforcement earlier this month, following his arrest roughly two years earlier by Canadian officials. Fraser is accused of having 'conspired with others to operate fraud schemes through which he mailed fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and in other countries.' The letters, the release says, told recipients they were entitled to a large cash prize, sometimes of more than US$1 million, which they could receive if they first paid a small fee. 'The (U.S.) Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America's seniors,' said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate in the release. 'I thank Canada for assisting in extraditing this individual to face charges here in the United States.' The U.S. release identifies Canada's Department of Justice and the Vancouver Police Department as contributing to the investigation. Fraser faces charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and a nine-count indictment, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, upon conviction. None of the charges have been tested in court, and the release acknowledges that 'all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.' Fraser is now in U.S. detention, awaiting trial in an American federal court in Las Vegas.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
Canadian extradited to Las Vegas over alleged mail fraud scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference, May 6, 2025, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) A Canadian man has been extradited to the United States over alleged schemes involving what U.S. officials call fake prize notices and victims described as 'elderly and vulnerable.' In a notice published Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice and Postal Inspection Service announced that Albertan Patrick Fraser, 44, was transferred to American law enforcement earlier this month, following his arrest roughly two years earlier by Canadian officials. Fraser is accused of having 'conspired with others to operate fraud schemes through which he mailed fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and in other countries.' The letters, the release says, told recipients they were entitled to a large cash prize, sometimes of more than US$1 million, which they could receive if they first paid a small fee. 'The (U.S.) Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America's seniors,' said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate in the release. 'I thank Canada for assisting in extraditing this individual to face charges here in the United States.' The U.S. release identifies Canada's Department of Justice and the Vancouver Police Department as contributing to the investigation. Fraser faces charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and a nine-count indictment, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, upon conviction. None of the charges have been tested in court, and the release acknowledges that 'all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.' Fraser is now in U.S. detention, awaiting trial in an American federal court in Las Vegas.
CBS News
16-06-2025
- CBS News
Police search for suspect after U.S. Postal Service carrier shot in South LA
A U.S. Postal Service carrier was shot in the arm Monday in South Los Angeles, and police are searching for a suspect. Around 11:40 a.m., the carrier was allegedly shot in the area of Century Boulevard and Central Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim was conscious and breathing when taken to a hospital, an LAPD representative said. "The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles Police Department responded after receiving reports of a letter carrier who was shot in the South Los Angeles area," Postal Inspector Patricia Mendoza said in a statement. "The Postal Inspection Service can confirm the postal employee was shot. This is an active investigation, and no additional information can be provided at this time."
