Charleston, W.Va. — A 37-year-old man broke into the Main Charleston Post Office after hours, crawled through a teller window, and stole 16 pieces of mail, five packages, and seven official 2017 White House Christmas ornaments, federal prosecutors confirm. Joshua Hanshaw now faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to theft of mail from a United States Post Office.
Hanshaw struck just after midnight on December 27, 2017, lifting a metal security screen covering a teller window and crawling into the mail-sorting area. Surveillance footage captured the entire operation: Hanshaw rummaging through postal bins, stuffing mail into a plastic container, and walking out with government property under his arm. Among the stolen items were collectible White House Christmas ornaments sold by the post office as holiday fundraisers.
He didn’t get far. Investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Charleston Police Department reviewed security video showing Hanshaw opening the screen, entering the building, and exiting with the stolen goods. He was identified, arrested, and Mirandized. After waiving his rights, Hanshaw admitted to crawling through the window and stealing both mail and ornaments.
Some of the pilfered mail was later found discarded behind a nativity scene at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and scattered near the post office. The contents of the stolen envelopes and packages could not be immediately confirmed, but federal law treats all mail theft as a felony, especially when committed inside a federal facility.
United States Attorney Mike Stuart made no apologies for the aggressive prosecution. “Theft of mail is a serious offense,” Stuart said. “All too often, there’s an uptick in mail theft around holidays. We will prosecute ‘Grinches’ like Hanshaw no matter what time of year they commit their criminal act.”
Hanshaw’s sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2019, before United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. He will be required to pay full restitution to the United States Treasury and any victims whose mail was compromised. Assistant United States Attorneys Erik S. Goes and former AUSA Eric Bacaj handled the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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