Posted on: June 16, 2025 12:20 PM

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Six defendants charged in multimillion dollar check theft and bank fraud ring

“The arrests today should send a very clear message that those who engage in mail theft and bank fraud will be held accountable,” said USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw.  “These charges highlight the commitment of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to bring individuals to justice who steal from USPS customers.  Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners for working tirelessly on this case, and helping to maintain the public’s trust of the U.S. Postal Service.”

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:[1]

From at least in or about January 2022 through at least in or about July 2024, the defendants perpetrated a massive scheme to steal millions of dollars in checks from Postal Service collection boxes in New York and elsewhere.  As part of their scheme, the defendants conspired to buy or otherwise obtain keys that would allow them to unlock the Postal collection boxes and steal mail, bank cards, and other bank account information.

After stealing checks from the mail, the defendants and their coconspirators fraudulently altered the information on those checks either by digitally altering the checks and printing them on check stock, or by chemically “washing” the checks to remove the ink.  To avoid getting caught, the defendants also conspired to obtain and exchange information for bank accounts held in the names of third parties for the purpose of depositing the fraudulently altered checks.

In total, the fraud ring posted millions of dollars in checks for sale on a third-party messaging application, and also deposited millions of dollars in fraudulently altered checks in bank accounts at national banks along the East Coast.

The members of the conspiracy played different roles. EDWARDS served as the leader of the organization, coordinating the purchase of postal keys with others, such as WILLIAM HILL, and the use of those keys to steal mail from postal boxes with other coconspirators, such as WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, and MERCADO.  The organization’s activities were lucrative: in the early morning hours of July 10, 2023, EDWARDS and MERCADO used a postal key to steal approximately $176,000 in checks from the mail.  Other members of the conspiracy, such as EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE recruited people they knew to supply their bank account information, including account balances and log-in information.  And because the stolen checks were not made out to the names on the third-party bank accounts, the members of the fraud ring—including EDWARDS and SHAKEEMO HILL—altered the checks to match the names on those bank accounts.  After the checks were altered, the members of the conspiracy, including EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE, deposited or recruited others to deposit them into third-party bank accounts.

A chart containing the defendants’ names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties is set forth below.

The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and Homeland Security Investigations.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance.    

From DOJ