Mark Rogers, Joseph Way, Tashara Levans, Kidnapping, New York 2019

In a shocking display of brazen criminality, Mark Rogers, 38, Joseph Way, 36, also known as Gus, and Tashara Levans, 37, all of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to the heinous crime of kidnapping a federal employee. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The crime took place on November 16, 2019 in the area of Second Street and Central Park in Rochester. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, the defendants kidnapped a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier while she was delivering mail. Rogers and Way confronted the mail carrier about a package she delivered to them, which they believed contained cocaine. In reality, the package did not contain the illicit substance, and the two men accused the mail carrier of stealing the narcotics.

The situation escalated when Rogers and Way directed the mail carrier to a vehicle driven by Rogers' girlfriend, Tashara Levans. Over the next two hours, Levans drove Rogers and Way as they threatened to shoot and kill the mail carrier and her children if she did not provide either the cocaine or $70,000, which was the street value of the cocaine. Eventually, the mail carrier was released unharmed.

The guilty pleas come as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief David Smith.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2022 before Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

The case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing and investigating violent crimes. The U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, who bravely endured the ordeal, has been offered support and resources to aid in her recovery.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/three-defendants-plead-guilty-kidnapping-postal-carrier