Darius Vashon Tolbert, Stolen Government Property, Florida 2016

Tampa, Florida – A local man has been sentenced to prison for his role in stealing over $3 million in Social Security checks. Darius Vashon Tolbert, 38, of Tampa, was sentenced to four years and four months in federal prison for receiving stolen government property and for possessing stolen mail.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday on January 11, 2017. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $569,876.40 and ordered him to pay $151,971.80 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.

A federal jury found Tolbert guilty on August 11, 2016. According to evidence presented at trial, Tolbert purchased approximately $569,000 of stolen Social Security benefit checks between April and July 2012. The checks, belonging to more than 400 disabled or retired beneficiaries, were all destined for addresses in Pinellas County and had been stolen from the St. Petersburg Processing and Distribution Center by a postal mail handler.

The stolen checks were later cashed at a money services business in Live Oak. This case is part of a larger theft of over $3 million in checks by the same mail handler, Stacy Darnell Mitchell. Mitchell was also found guilty by a federal jury on January 11, 2017, and was sentenced to nine years and one month in federal prison on April 5, 2017.

The investigation into Tolbert’s role in the theft was conducted by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of the Treasury – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, as well as various local enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.

Tolbert’s prison sentence marks the end of a long and complex case that involved the theft of millions of dollars in Social Security checks. His actions have resulted in financial losses for over 400 disabled or retired beneficiaries, and his sentence is a reminder of the serious consequences of committing crimes such as receiving stolen government property and possessing stolen mail.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Darius Vashon Tolbert
Criminal Charges: Receiving Stolen Government Property and Possessing Stolen Mail
City and State: Tampa, Florida
Exact Date: August 11, 2016 (guilty verdict), January 11, 2017 (sentencing)
Sentence: Four years and four months in federal prison
Dollar Amounts: $569,876.40 (money judgment), $151,971.80 (restitution)

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