Houston Teen Sentenced in USPS Carrier Gunpoint Robbery

An 18-year-old Houston man pointed a gun at a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier and stole his wallet while he worked, marking a brazen attack on a federal employee in the line of duty. Sebastien Moore committed the crime on Feb. 6, 2016, targeting the carrier as he delivered mail at a local apartment complex.

Moore didn’t stop at the robbery. He tried using the victim’s stolen credit card at multiple locations, succeeding in at least one unauthorized transaction. Surveillance footage captured Moore on camera, clearly wearing the same clothes from the robbery, attempting to make purchases with the carrier’s card.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched an immediate investigation, tracing the suspect through video evidence and transaction records. The probe quickly led to Moore, whose actions placed him squarely in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.

On July 8, 2016, Moore pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence—a charge carrying severe federal penalties. No plea deal softened the blow; the justice system came down hard.

On Nov. 17, 2016, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake handed down an 84-month federal prison sentence. That time will be followed by three years of supervised release, ensuring Moore remains under federal watch long after his release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Basile prosecuted the case, underscoring federal commitment to protecting postal workers and punishing violent street crime. The USPS, a civilian force delivering mail in every neighborhood, now has one less threat on its routes.

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