Postal Worker Jailed

⏱ 2 min read

Joshua Lee, a 28-year-old mail processing clerk at the Richmond Processing and Distribution Center, stole at least $1,581,953.59 in checks from October 2021 to May 2025. Lee, from North Chesterfield, would search for mail containing gift cards, checks, or cash, and secretly move it to hide with his personal belongings. He’d then remove the stolen mail during breaks and at the end of his shifts, notifying co-conspirators who’d fraudulently cash or deposit the checks.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore. Lee’s actions were part of a larger conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.

Lee’s scheme involved stealing checks and selling them to co-conspirators, who’d then attempt to cash or deposit them. The fact that Lee was a postal employee made it easier for him to carry out the scheme, as he had access to the mail and could move it around without arousing suspicion.

The sentence of four years in prison is a significant one, and it sends a strong message to others who might consider committing similar crimes. The investigation and prosecution of Lee’s case are a testament to the work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.