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, Peters used counterfeit or modified postal keys to access mailboxes on at least 12 occasions.
The alleged mail theft occurred from May to September 2025. 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.
Further investigation revealed false identification documents, stolen identity documents, and counterfeit checks. The discovery of these items suggests that Peters may have been using the stolen mail to commit further crimes, such as identity theft and check fraud.
Peters made his first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. However, the evidence found in Peters’ apartment suggests a pattern of criminal behavior. The use of counterfeit postal keys and stolen identities to access mailboxes and commit identity theft is a serious crime that can have significant consequences for the victims.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating mail theft and identity theft. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon are working together to hold individuals accountable for these crimes and to protect the public from further victimization.
The case against Michael Peters is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks. As the case progresses, it is likely that more information will become available about the scope of Peters’ alleged crimes and the impact on the victims. For now, the community can take comfort in the knowledge that law enforcement is taking action to address these serious crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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