PORTLAND, Ore.— A brazen thief has been caught in the act, leaving a trail of stolen mail and identity theft in his wake. Michael John Peters, 42, of Portland, Oregon, has been charged with stealing mail from condominium and apartment complexes in Northwest and Southwest Portland.
According to court documents and information shared in court, from May to September 2025, Peters used counterfeit or modified postal keys to access mailboxes on at least 12 occasions. On September 23, 2025, U.S. Postal Inspectors executed a federal search warrant at an apartment in the Pearl District that Peters rented using a stolen identity.
In the apartment, investigators found evidence of identity theft including approximately 300 pieces of U.S. mail that were not addressed to Peters, false identification documents, stolen identity documents, and counterfeit checks. It’s a staggering amount of stolen property, and a clear indication of the severity of Peters’ crimes.
Peters made his first appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau.
The case against Peters is a stark reminder of the importance of mail security and the devastating consequences of identity theft. As our community continues to grow and evolve, it’s crucial that we remain vigilant in protecting our personal information and property.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. However, based on the evidence presented, it’s clear that Peters has a lot to answer for.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/Respondent: Michael John Peters
Exact Criminal Charges: Stealing mail from condominium and apartment complexes
City and State: Portland, Oregon
Exact Date: May to September 2025
Sentence or Outcome: Detained pending further court proceedings
Dollar Amounts: None applicable
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Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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