Former U.S. Postal Service workers accused of stealing credit cards, financial info from mail: Feds

Seven former U.S. Postal Service employees who worked in the Chicago area are accused of stealing credit cards and financial information from the mail, federal prosecutors announced.

According to indictments unsealed Sept. 28, USPS the workers involved in the alleged scheme either delivered mail in the Chicago area or processed and sorted mail at a USPS facility in Palatine.

The new allegations stem from a federal investigation dubbed “Operation Cash on Delivery” that has already resulted in other USPS employees getting arrested and charged with conspiracy in connection to the alleged 18-month conspiracy.

“Some of the defendants unlawfully obtained USPS customers’ personal identifying information, including dates of birth and Social Security numbers, which was then used to fraudulently activate the stolen cards,” prosecutors said the charges allege.

The credit cards and other financial instruments were then allegedly exchanged for cash or used to make purchases at various retailers.

Charged with conspiring to steal mail are former postal service employees Charlese Bennett, 31, of Chicago; Latiyah Davidson, 28, of Chicago; Brandy Walker, 33, of Chicago; Shuntonese Richardson, 24, of Willowbrook, Illinois; C’ory Voniper McNeal, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Zakeya Blake, 24, of Hammond, Indiana.

Ex-postal employee Kennethia Howleit, 27, of Chicago, is charged with knowingly receiving and possessing stolen mail.

Also accused of the alleged conspiracy are Daray Ross Hines, 25, of Chicago; Tramont Miller, 23, of Wheaton, Illinois; Mahlik Washington, 30, of Chicago; and William Crawford, 33, of Chicago.

In February, 11 people were also indicted on stolen credit card charges as part of the same investigation.