Souha Yazbek, Mail Identity Theft, WA 2023

Spokane, Washington — Souha Yazbek, 27, of Spokane, is headed to federal prison for five years after pleading guilty to a brazen campaign of mail theft, identity fraud, and bank fraud that victimized more than 900 residents across the city. U.S. Attorney Michael C. Ormsby confirmed today that Yazbek was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by an additional 60 months of court-ordered supervision, for her role in a scheme that plundered personal data, forged checks, and fleeced local businesses.

Yazbek’s criminal run ended in February 2016 when she was arrested trying to sell a stolen vehicle. During that encounter, law enforcement discovered she was in possession of a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service key — a master-style tool capable of unlocking the back of cluster mailboxes used in apartment complexes and office buildings. With that key, Yazbek and her crew systematically raided mailboxes across Spokane, stealing thousands of pieces of correspondence from unsuspecting residents and businesses.

A search warrant executed at her residence uncovered a disturbing stash: over 900 stolen mail items, including bank statements, tax documents, and credit card offers. Prosecutors revealed that Yazbek and three co-conspirators — Charice Unruh, Shawn Fitzgerald, and Raquel Calloway — forged checks lifted from the stolen envelopes and deposited them into their own accounts. They also used stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases, including furniture from Hobby Lobby, a mattress from the Davenport Hotel, and eyeglasses from Lens Crafters.

Yazbek didn’t stop at mail theft. She stole the identity of a California resident, opened a bank account in that person’s name, and obtained a credit card she used for personal spending. The investigation showed the fraud was methodical, widespread, and deeply invasive — striking at the privacy and financial security of ordinary citizens who had no idea their lives were being raided piece by piece.

Judge Justin L. Quackenbush handed down harsh penalties across the board. In addition to Yazbek’s five-year sentence, Unruh was sentenced to 37 months, Fitzgerald to 24 months, and Calloway to 15 months — all followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Quackenbush stressed the emotional and financial toll on victims, calling the thefts a “community-wide wound.” He also ordered more than $50,000 in restitution to be paid to individual and business victims.

Michael C. Ormsby praised the collaboration between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, calling it a textbook example of state-federal cooperation. “Today’s sentence should serve as a warning,” Ormsby said. “Steal mail, steal identities — law enforcement will come after you hard and won’t stop.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allyson Edwards, who ensured each defendant faced full accountability under federal law.