EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.
A group of thieves has been caught in a mail theft scheme that targeted collection boxes in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Tylann J. Starks, 29, of Swansea, is facing a 10-count indictment for his alleged involvement in the scheme.
According to the indictment, Starks conspired with Tiara D. Johnson, 32, of Cahokia Heights, to steal checks from mail collection boxes. The duo would then use the stolen account information to generate counterfeit checks. The scheme is believed to have taken place from February 2020 through February 2023.
The indictment also alleges that Starks purchased an arrow key from former postal employee Jamil Jackson, 51, to gain access to mail collection boxes throughout the Metro East. Agents conducted an undercover purchase of a second arrow key from Jackson for $1,000.
Starks and Johnson would search collection boxes for checks and exploit bank account and personal identifying information from victims. Jackson would steal checks out of mail from his route that he provided to Starks. The conspirators also used the stolen account information to generate counterfeit checks.
The checks were then cashed, deposited or otherwise negotiated at area businesses, banks and ATM machines in Belleville, East St. Louis, and O’Fallon.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud charges are punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment; aggravated identity theft and stealing post office keys can carry sentences of up to 10 years’ imprisonment; conspiracy to steal U.S. mail and false statement convictions can garner up to five years in federal prison.
Related Federal Cases
- Denae Sullivan, Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Anchorage… · Alaska
- Nazaret Chakrian, ID Theft and Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Idaho
- Eric Holub, Tax Withholding Fraud, Cedar Rapids IA, 2023 · Iowa
- Terry L. Gantt, ID Theft and Wire Fraud, Cedar Rapids IA, 2012 · Idaho
- Abel Hernandez-Labra, Passport Fraud, Hampton IA, 2023 · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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