PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man is accused of impersonating a postal worker and stealing mail, prosecutors said.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Zachkey James, 27, was indicted and charged with impersonating a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, unlawful possession of three USPS arrow keys, mail theft and possession of stolen mail.
Prosecutors allege that in July 2022, James stole undelivered mail from a post office in the Kingsessing neighborhood in southwest Philadelphia, Philly Voice reported. In October, prosecutors said that James took mail from a post office in the East Germantown section of the city while dressed in a hat and T-shirt with what appeared to be shorts worn by a postal worker, according to the website.
A message from U.S. Attorney Romero and @PhillyUSPIS about mail theft and a new indictment. pic.twitter.com/6lelOLoig5
— U.S. Attorney EDPA (@USAO_EDPA) December 7, 2022
According to prosecutors, last month James was in possession of three arrow keys and approximately 15 mail-in ballots that had been stolen from USPS collection boxes.
“In recent months, there has been a rise in crimes involving the mail, including mail theft, check washing and robberies of postal carriers,” U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero said in a video posted on Twitter after charges were announced. “This issue is top of mind as we begin the busy holiday season. Make no mistake, mail crime is a serious federal offense. If you steal mail, you are going to prison. We are announcing the indictment of Zachkey James of Philadelphia. James is alleged to have stolen mail from blue USPS collection boxes in the Germantown and Kingsessing neighborhoods of Philadelphia. He has been arrested and will face these charges in court.”
Authorities arrested James. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 31 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, WPVI-TV reported.
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