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Raleigh Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Mail Theft Scheme
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Raleigh man was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in prison for possession of stolen mail. Anthony Messiah Brooks, 21, pled guilty to one count of Possession of Stolen Mail and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Mail.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Raleigh Police Department investigated multiple occurrences of theft from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes throughout Raleigh between May and August 2022.
As a result of that investigation, Brooks was found in possession of 500 pieces of mail, which contained checks, U.S. currency, money orders, gift certificates, and personal identifying information for unknown individuals.
At least six victims have been identified with losses of more than $30,000, although it is anticipated that there are additional victims. As part of the judgment, Brooks will be ordered to pay criminal restitution to victims in this case.
“As it has for almost 250 years, our US Postal Service operates largely upon the trust and good faith of our citizens not to abuse it,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.
“Unfortunately, there are those in our society who see that system of trust as an opportunity for profit, by stealing from the mail and converting the contents for financial gain. We are proud to partner with the United States Postal Inspection Service which works tirelessly to hold accountable those who abuse our mail system to enrich themselves,” he added.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also commented on the case, saying that they take great pride in protecting postal customers from criminal activity related to the U.S. mail.
“Postal Inspectors along with our local law enforcement partners will continue to vigorously investigate and seek criminal prosecution of those who use the U.S. mail to further their criminal activity,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.
At the sentencing hearing Brooks, who had no prior criminal record, only faced an advisory guideline sentence of 6 to 12 months. The Court, however, departed upwardly from the guideline to impose two years in prison. In doing so, the Court noted that Brooks’ conduct was egregious, and that a more significant punishment was needed to deter Brooks and others from stealing mail from, and perpetrating fraud against, the community.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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