⏱ 3 min read
Alexander Telewoda, 26, of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, was part of a conspiracy that stole thousands of US Treasury checks worth over $84 million from the USPS Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center between June 2023 and September 2024. Telewoda and his co-conspirators, including Saahir Irby and Tauheed Tucker, who worked as USPS mail processing clerks, sold the stolen checks to buyers around the country. The scheme involved advertising the stolen checks for resale on the Telegram app and mailing them to interested buyers. Telewoda’s customers successfully cashed approximately $11 million worth of the stolen checks.
Telewoda pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to steal government funds, theft of government funds, and mail theft. His co-defendants, Irby, Tucker, and Cory Scott, also pleaded guilty to the same charges. The conspiracy was carried out while Irby and Tucker were employed by the USPS, and they stole the checks from mail sorting machines. Even after Irby and Tucker were fired, Telewoda continued to find new sources of stolen Treasury checks and sell them to his customers.
Telewoda was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $10,841,731.83 and forfeiture of $162,144.50. The sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the significant financial losses incurred by the victims. The case highlights the importance of protecting government funds and the consequences of engaging in large-scale theft and fraud schemes.
The investigation and prosecution of Telewoda and his co-conspirators demonstrate the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes. The US Attorney’s Office and other agencies worked together to bring the perpetrators to justice and recover the stolen funds. The case serves as a warning to those who engage in similar schemes, emphasizing the potential for severe penalties and financial consequences.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Pennsylvania
- Location: PA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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