ATLANTA, GA – Quentin Pickett, 25, of Jonesboro, Georgia, will spend the next six years and nine months behind bars after masterminding a brazen credit card theft ring that siphoned $1.7 million from unsuspecting Americans. Pickett and his crew didn’t bother with sophisticated hacking or digital breaches; they went straight to the source – pilfering credit cards directly from the mail stream at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and a private mail sorting facility.
From December 2015 to April 2017, Pickett’s operation systematically targeted mail containing new credit cards, destined for accountholders across the country. The scheme wasn’t a one-off grab; it was a coordinated effort involving multiple players, each with a specific role. The crew attempted over $2.3 million in fraudulent transactions, successfully extracting roughly $1,758,476.67 before getting caught. U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross ordered Pickett to pay full restitution for the stolen amount in addition to his prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release.
The operation hinged on inside access. Cornelius Henderson, 23, of Riverdale, Georgia, exploited his position at the airport, using his access to the secured baggage loading areas to steal mail containing the cards. Meanwhile, Treveyon Herring worked at a private mail sorting facility, adding another stream of stolen credit card applications to the operation. Pickett himself was the central figure, coordinating the theft, distribution, and monetization of the stolen cards.
Once the cards were in hand, LaSuhn Turner and Brandon Foster stepped in to convert the stolen plastic into cash. Turner hit ATMs for quick cash advances, while Foster, abusing his position as a bank teller, processed fraudulent transactions using the stolen cards. This wasn’t a victimless crime. U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak emphasized the “substantial harm” caused to both citizens and financial institutions, warning that the public must remain vigilant in monitoring their accounts.
“People expect their mail to be handled securely, especially within the protected areas of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport,” Pak stated. “Pickett led a ring of thieves that circumvented the protocols for secure handling of mail, with no care for those affected by this theft.” The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Secret Service collaborated on the investigation, highlighting the need for interagency cooperation in tackling these types of crimes. David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, praised the partnership that brought the thieves to justice.
Kenneth Cronin, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office, underscored the agency’s commitment to aggressively pursuing those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain. Cornelius Henderson received a five year and five month prison sentence. The sentences handed down to Pickett and his co-defendants serve as a stark warning: stealing from the American public will be met with severe consequences. The investigation demonstrates that even seemingly low-tech crimes can yield significant financial gains for criminals – and that law enforcement is working to shut them down.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Atlanta… · Georgia
- Ruben Mangual-Aquino Sentenced for Credit Card Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · Georgia
- Kency Aime, ID Theft and Debit Card Fraud, FL, 2023 · Georgia
- Eijroghene Okuma, $10M Investment Fraud, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Georgia
- DoorDash, Wage Theft, New York, 2023 · Georgia
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
