Latest news with #U.S.PostalInspectionService
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Manhattan man sentenced to 7 years on methamphetamine charges
Photo illustration by Getty Images. A Manhattan, Montana, man who pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing methamphetamine was sentenced to 7 years in prison and five years supervised release, according to the Montana U.S. Attorney's office. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen presided over the case. Kevin Andrew Bacon, 51, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to a Wednesday U.S Attorney's office press release, law enforcement officers began investigating a drug trafficking ring operating around Butte in June 2022. According to court documents, agents allegedly discovered a conspiracy operating in part by sending drugs through the U.S. Postal Service from California to Montana. Several members of the drug trafficking ring operated out of a residence in Whitehall, according to court filings. The investigation led to the arrest of several conspirators in early January 2023, and the seizure of approximately 13 pounds of meth. On Feb 23, 2023, law enforcement located a package sent from California to 'Kevin Bacon' in Manhattan. Law enforcement searched the package and located 873.5 grams of actual methamphetamine inside. Bacon was arrested on Feb 28, 2023, when he arrived at the Manhattan post office to retrieve the package. He told investigators he had a friend in Whitehall who sold drugs and had asked Bacon to receive a package, which Bacon knew contained meth, to his P.O Box. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Five Augustans await sentencing for stolen mail, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft in separate cases
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Five Richmond County defendants face various prison sentences after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a master key for postal service mailboxes and other felony counts occurring in 2023. Davion Chelsea Easterling, 26, and Corey Jamario Gunter, 24, both of Augusta, await sentencing after pleading guilty to Aiding and Abetting Possession of a Stolen Mail Key. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, plea agreements subject each defendant to a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. According to court documents, Easterling was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and shared a residence with Gunter. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in 2023, led to a search of their residence pursuant to a state search warrant, where investigators reportedly found large quantities of stolen mail and multiple postal bins, along with a master key used to access postal service boxes. The investigation revealed that mail was stolen from a USPS Blue Box, located at the U.S. Post Office, 3108 Peach Orchard Road in Augusta. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing hearings for Easterling and Gunter upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services. Cameron Martinas Curry, 22, and Quavaun Enreco Rhodes, 22, both of Augusta, await sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Mail Key, Possessing Stolen Mail Matter, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft. Both face up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. Curry and Rhodes were detained by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office for a traffic stop after suspecting that the defendants had stolen mail from a USPS Blue Box, located at the U.S. Post Office, 125 Commercial Boulevard in Martinez. Upon contact with the defendants, the deputies observed what appeared to be stolen U.S. Mail inside the vehicle. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service determined that there was no forced entry on the USPS Blue Box. After searching the area, a pair of U.S. Postal Master Keys were found less than thirty yards from the vehicle. A federal search warrant was obtained for both defendants' phones and agents found several check images with a face value totaling $485,000. Court documents showed that text messages and screenshots revealed that they had stolen checks from the mail and had been depositing, altering or selling them for the Purpose of Bank Fraud or Identity Theft. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen will schedule sentencing hearings for Curry and Rhodes upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services. Earl Demetrius Overton, 32, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft related to stolen mail. He faces up to 30 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. Overton was arrested by RCSO, pursuant to an arrest warrant, while driving a vehicle. The defendant was reportedly found to be in possession of a firearm and is a prohibited person because of a previous felony conviction. A follow up search warrant of the defendant's home revealed numerous stolen checks, stolen mail, and various debit cards belonging to other people. Investigators revealed that Overton was stealing checks from the mail and depositing, altering or selling them for the purpose of Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule a sentencing hearing for Overton upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services. 'These cases are examples of individuals who made a decision to engage in criminal misconduct involving the U.S. mail that will not go unpunished,' said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. 'The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting our customers and preserving the integrity of the mail.' If you believe you are a victim of mail theft from the Martinez Post Office, or the Peach Orchard Road Post Office between the dates of March 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023, and you have not been contacted by the United States Attorney's Office, you can file a report by June 30, 2025, with the United States Postal Inspection Service at referencing USPIS Case Numbers 4183320-MT and 4207963-MT. This investigation is on-going. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago man accused of stealing mail, forging checks, and using counterfeit postal keys
The Brief Dalvin Lockhart was arrested on the Gold Coast after missing court dates tied to earlier mail theft charges. Police say he had fake postal keys, stolen IDs, and more than 50 credit and bank cards at the time of arrest. He now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in Cook County. CHICAGO - A Chicago man with a history of mail theft was arrested again last month—this time while allegedly carrying a load of stolen and counterfeit items. What we know Dalvin Lockhart, 30, was taken into custody April 29 near E. Walton Place by Chicago police and U.S. Postal Inspectors after skipping court appearances in both Cook and DuPage counties, according to a statement from the United States Postal Inspection Service. At the time of his arrest, authorities say Lockhart was in possession of two counterfeit postal keys, more than 50 credit and bank cards in other people's names, 15 pieces of fake U.S. currency, stolen mail, forged checks, blank check stock, and stolen identification cards, including a Social Security card and two driver's licenses. Lockhart has been charged with multiple offenses, including felony counts of possession of burglary tools, forgery, and deceptive practices. He also faces misdemeanor charges related to possessing a stolen check, theft of mislaid property, and obstructing identification. The backstory Lockhart was previously arrested in October 2024 for burglary in Chicago. Just a few months later, in February 2025, Elmhurst police arrested him again after he allegedly tried to use a false identity to obtain a car loan. In both cases, investigators say Lockhart was caught with counterfeit postal keys and stolen credit cards. Authorities say he failed to appear in court following those arrests, leading to warrants being issued in both counties. What they're saying "This arrest is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Chicago Division. She thanked the Chicago Police Department's 18th District for their help in making the arrest. What you can do Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of mail theft is encouraged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or visit The Source Details for this story were provided in a press release from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Chicago Division.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Hartford man sentenced to more than a decade in prison for drug trafficking
A West Hartford man has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for drug trafficking, officials said. Joseph Giovanni Soto, 34, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill in Bridgeport to 14 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine. According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force identified a cocaine trafficking operation that involved the shipment of parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from U.S. Post Offices in Puerto Rico to various 'drop addresses' in New Britain and Meriden, officials said. The investigation also found drop addresses in Holyoke and West Springfield, Mass., officials said. The organization used 'runners' to pick up the parcels from the drop addresses and deliver them to Soto's residence in Bloomfield and the residence of Soto's uncle, Ramon Soto, in New Britain. Officials say that Ramon Soto, at Joseph Soto's direction, then delivered the cocaine to individuals in the Bronx, New York, and elsewhere, in return for payment. During the investigation, task force members intercepted and seized 10 suspicious packages, each of which contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine, and identified approximately 280 suspicious packages likely containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been delivered to the various drop addresses, according to officials. Soto was arrested on May 1, 2023 after investigators conducted a search of his residence and seized two loaded firearms, a drum magazine, ammunition, body armor, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, drug packaging material, and approximately $12,000 in cash. One of the seized firearms was fitted with a switch making it fully automatic, and investigators also found a second, uninstalled switch. A search of Ramon Soto's residence revealed a loaded Ruger handgun, firearm magazines, ammunition, two money counters, a digital scale with cocaine residue, and more than $1,000 in cash, officials said. On Feb. 7, Joseph Soto pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He was released on a $100,000 bond, and is required to report to prison on June 25. Ramon Soto pleaded guilty to a related charge and on Jan. 8, 2025, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, and the Hartford, Plainville, and Meriden Police Departments. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. Postal Service worker robbed while delivering mail in L.A. neighborhood
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward in the search for three suspects who robbed a letter carrier in Los Angeles last week. Video released of the March 20 incident shows two suspects in black hoodies getting out of a newer model white Honda 4-door sedan and running up to a letter carrier in the Valley Village neighborhood who appeared to be taking packages out of a mail van. The suspects can be seen grabbing something from the letter carrier and then running back to the car where a third suspect was waiting to drive them away. The Inspection Service said the same suspects had already attempted to rob two other letter carriers. 'The robbery and attempted robberies happened in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, andValley Village,' the Inspection Service stated in a news release. Two of the suspects were described as young Hispanic males who were wearing face masks. The third suspect was just described as a Hispanic male who was also wearing a face mask. The Inspection Service issued the following warning: 'TAKE NO ACTION TO APPREHEND THIS PERSON YOURSELF.' A reward of up to $150,000 is being offered for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
