Theft of over $10 million in United States Treasury checks from a United States Postal Facility in Atlanta

Eight Individuals Arrested, Five in Custody, Sixteen Indicted

April 23, 2015 ATLANTA, GA – Sixteen defendants have been indicted for stealing over $10 million in U.S. Treasury checks from the mail and then cashing them at Walmart, Kroger, and other businesses using fake identifications.  The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11, 2015.

This case originated in April 2012 when the Secret Service’s Atlanta Field Office was alerted to the mail theft of over $10 million in United States Treasury checks from a United States Postal facility in Atlanta, Georgia.

Postal Employees and Four Others Indicted for stealing and cashing U.S. Treasury Checks

Gerald Eason, 47, of Stockbridge, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to stealing over 1,300 U.S. Treasury checks worth more than $2.8 million, while employed as a supervisor at an Atlanta mail distribution facility.  He also admitted to conspiring with another postal worker, Deborah Fambro-Echols, 49, of Hapeville, Georgia, at the same facility to steal and cash additional checks.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  Eason worked as a supervisor at the Atlanta Processing and Distribution Center, a centralized mail distribution center, on Crown Road in Atlanta, Georgia.  That facility processes mail for delivery to dozens of zip codes in Georgia.  Fambro-Echols worked as a mail handler at the facility.  While on the job, Eason and Fambro-Echols stole thousands of U.S. Treasury checks and provided them to a network of brokers and check cashers who would then negotiate the checks and split the criminal proceeds with Eason and Fambro-Echols.  These individuals forged endorsements and used fake identifications to pose as the intended recipients of the checks when cashing them.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court:  Maurice Shuler and Milton Minter are alleged to have received stolen U.S. Treasury checks that were taken from the mail before reaching their intended recipients.  The stolen checks included tax refund, Social Security, and Veteran Benefits checks.  After receiving the checks, Shuler and Minter provided them to a network of check cashers, including 14 of the defendants charged here, who negotiated the stolen checks, mainly at Walmart and Kroger stores.  The defendants used fake driver’s licenses to pose as the check payees and forged the payees’ signatures on the back of the checks.  They also used other individuals’ Social Security numbers to cash the checks.  In an effort to avoid detection, the defendants traveled to different states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Iowa, Louisiana, and Tennessee, to cash the stolen checks.  The defendants are charged with  cashing thousands of stolen U.S. Treasury checks worth over $10 million.

The indictment charges the following individuals with conspiracy, theft of U.S. money, and aggravated identity theft:The grand jury indicted Maurice “Fred” Shuler, 25, Gino Shuler, 27, Sepater Ransom, 27, Damontra “Pop” Ransom, 20, Kimbela Jordan, 19, Osiris O. Hernandez, 23, and Raymon D. Gales, 26, all of Atlanta; Chucky Ransom, 41, of Decatur, Charles E. Bolton Jr., also known as Lightpole Jones, 26, of College Park, Rodrekus R. Harris, 26, of Blakely, Mariah C. Clark, 24, of Loganville, Lovely Richardson, 27, of Fairburn, Brian “Big” K. Hightower, 33, and Angela L. Williams, 40, both of Stockbridge and Milton “White Boi” Minter, 31, and Jeremy Arnold, 28, of Riverdale

“Georgia has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the worst states in the nation for stolen U.S. Treasury checks,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn.  “This crime affects thousands of victims – including senior citizens, the disabled, and veterans – who go to their mailbox looking for a needed check only to discover that it has been stolen by criminals and identity thieves.  These sixteen defendants are charged with stealing over $10 million in U.S. Treasury checks in Georgia and traveling around the country to cash them.”

“Check fraud is one of the largest challenges facing financial institutions and businesses today. The United States Secret Service will continue to collaborate with its law enforcement partners to target and arrest individuals who steal from unsuspecting victims,” said Reginald G. Moore, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the U.S. Mail and taking an aggressive stance on those who violate federal statutes that protect the American Public. We value the investigative efforts with our federal partners and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for continuing to protect innocent victims.” said Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division.

“Social Security payments are a lifeline for many Americans.  We are pleased with the aggressive action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners that resulted in these indictments,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas Caul, SSA/Office of the Inspector General.

The 83-count indictment was unsealed and the defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service; United States Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; and Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen H. McClain and Chris Bly are prosecuting the case.

This case continues pending further investigation and judicial action.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For questions concerning this release, please contact the U.S. Secret Service Office of Government and Public Affairs at 202-406-5708

source: US Attorney, US Secret Service