HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Birmingham man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his role in a sophisticated scheme to steal mail from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Derrell Allen Matthews, 27, was sentenced to 63 months for possession of stolen mail and unlawful possession of USPS keys, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Scott D. Fix.
In addition to his prison term, Matthews pleaded guilty to conspiracy, paying a bribe to a public official, bank fraud, and possession of stolen mail. His plea agreement details how he used stolen USPS keys to steal mail from collection boxes in Hoover, Alabama, and then deposited altered or counterfeit checks into co-conspirator’s accounts.
U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco also sentenced Keaundria Janae Gresham, 30, of Pleasant Grove, to 12 months for conspiracy, public official accepting a bribe, and possession of stolen USPS keys. Steven Cornelius Hudson, Jr., 34, of Bessemer, received 36 months of probation for his part in the scheme.
Court documents reveal that between August 2022 and April 2023, Matthews possessed over $1 million in stolen, altered, or counterfeit checks. He was apprehended by postal inspectors and Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies in April 2023 after being observed opening collection boxes at the Meadowbrook Post Office.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel McBrayer prosecuted. Those wishing to report USPS mail thefts or other postal-related crimes can contact the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or visit this link.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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