DETROIT – A chilling wave of fear was sent through the hearts of postal workers when two armed robbers, Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31, of Detroit, and Terrance Tucker, 33, from Phoenix, Arizona, were caught in a violent crime spree targeting U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers.
United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., announced the sentencing today, joined by Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division. Smith-Ellis and Tucker were each sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for their heists.
Court records reveal that in September and October 2023, these criminals, at gunpoint, robbed mail carriers in Taylor and Northville, Michigan. They demanded the “arrow keys,” or USPS master keys, which grant access to postal mailboxes for personal gain. The law enforcement team was swift; Smith-Ellis and Tucker were apprehended within minutes after robbing a mail carrier in Northville. Their vehicle yielded firearms, gear, stolen credit cards, and a key ring with an “arrow key”.
Gorgon emphasized the dedication of postal carriers and the commitment to their safety, saying, “These violent criminals deserve a serious sentence.” McStravick echoed this sentiment, stating, “The safety of postal employees is our top priority, and let this sentence be a warning to any who would harm them for personal gain.”
This investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and local law enforcement partners in Taylor, Northville, and Livonia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan Ho prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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