Postal Service employee aided in check theft from mail, illegally traded mailbox key to multiple individuals
A postal employee in Clayton, Missouri, Cambria M. Hopkins, has admitted to her role in a scheme to steal mail for personal information and business checks. According to a release from the Department of Justice, Hopkins pleaded guilty to one conspiracy charge and one unlawful use of a mail key charge.
Hopkins, who worked as a postal employee, stole checks from her routes and from the post office. She sold her "arrow key," which grants access to Postal Service collection boxes, to Malik A. Jones on March 20, 2022. The key was used, along with others, to steal mail containing personal information and business checks.
Jones, who was recruited by an unknown person or group, used the stolen checks in an unspecified manner. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on Oct. 25. Jones admitted to recruiting people to let him deposit the stolen checks using their bank accounts.
Hopkins sold checks to Jones on multiple occasions from August 2022 to August 2023. She was paid in cash, through CashApp, or by Jones buying her groceries. The mail key charge against Hopkins carries up to 10 years in prison, while the conspiracy charge carries up to five years.
Jones is waiting for sentencing, while Hopkins' sentencing date is scheduled for Dec. 1. The scheme involved Hopkins selling her mail key to Jones and sharing with him the boxes that the key would open.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal and business information, especially when it comes to mail handling. The Department of Justice continues to investigate this matter and urges anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
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