Stephen Allen Booker, Mail Theft, Virginia 2023

A Henrico man has pleaded guilty to mail theft in a federal court in Virginia.

Stephen Allen Booker, 28, of Henrico, was accused of stealing mail from the blue USPS collection boxes located at the Westhampton Post Office in Richmond.

According to court documents, Booker, along with other accomplices, stole from the collection boxes on December 19, 2022.

Law enforcement was conducting surveillance on the Westhampton collection boxes based on previous incidents of theft. During the surveillance, officers observed a gray GMC vehicle, bearing Virginia license plates, enter the Westhampton Post Office parking lot in front of the blue collection boxes.

Two individuals exited the vehicle, opened the blue collection boxes, removed the mail matter contained within the boxes, dumped the mail in a trash bag, and drove off. Law enforcement was able to confirm that this vehicle was registered to Booker.

When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Booker initially pulled over, then fled in his vehicle resulting in a high-speed chase. Booker was later arrested at his residence and a lawful search was conducted. The search revealed that Booker was in possession of checks and credit cards belonging to other individuals.

Booker is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/henrico-man-pleads-guilty-mail-theft-westhampton-post-office