⏱ 2 min read
Kaevon Raymere Leonard, a 33-year-old Buffalo man, has been arrested and charged with stealing a U.S. Postal Service key, which was used to access hundreds of blue collection boxes in Buffalo and surrounding areas. The key was stolen at gunpoint from a USPS letter carrier in July 2024, and soon after, numerous complaints were filed by individuals and businesses who had mailed checks that were stolen, altered, and cashed. Leonard was identified as a suspect after posting pictures of USPS arrow keys on social media, including one with a caption that referred to the key as a ‘trophy’.
According to the criminal complaint, the stolen key was used to steal checks from mailboxes, which were then altered and cashed. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, financial institutions, and local law enforcement received numerous complaints about the stolen checks, leading to an investigation that identified Leonard as a suspect. On September 23, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Leonard’s residence, where investigators found a USPS arrow key attached to his belt loop with a carabiner, matching the serial number of the stolen key.
Leonard faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for unauthorized possession of a U.S. postal service key. The case is a result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from local law enforcement and financial institutions.
The arrest and charges against Leonard highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat mail theft and financial crimes in the Buffalo area. The case also raises concerns about the vulnerability of the USPS mail system and the potential for identity theft and financial fraud.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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