Brandon Thief Sentenced for Postal Box Fraud

Tampa, Florida – A Brandon thug has been handed a three-year sentence for swindling checks and money orders from U.S. Postal Service mailboxes across several Florida counties.

Carlos Sarabasa Cobas, 30, of Brandon, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The court also ordered a money judgment of $123,225.80 against him and restitution totaling $46,232.45 to his victims.

Cobas pleaded guilty on November 17, 2016, according to court documents. He is accused of a brazen scheme that involved using homemade ‘fishing’ devices made from duct tape, string, and metal objects to break into mailboxes in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota counties.

After pilfering the cash-laden documents, Cobas reportedly altered or washed them before depositing or distributing them to others for further deposit. He was caught red-handed when authorities traced the transactions back to his operation.

The investigation into this sophisticated fraud scheme was spearheaded by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Kistler and Daniel George.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the elaborate methods some crooks will employ to enrich themselves at the expense of hardworking Americans who depend on the postal service for their daily needs.

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