St Louis, MO - Four former and current Postal employees of the Network Distribution Center in Hazelwood, and an associate, were indicted on charges of diverting mail believed to contain marijuana and other items to addresses that they controlled, for their personal gain.
EDWARD LEWIS, Hazelwood, MO; SEAN WEST, Florissant, MO; QUENTIN COOK, Florissant, MO; CHE'YRON ROBINSON, St. Charles, MO; and KOREY HOWARD, Florissant, MO; were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 10 on multiple charges including conspiracy, obstruction of correspondence and theft or receipt of stolen mail. They are expected to appear in federal court this week.
According to the indictment, Lewis, West and Howard are former employees; Cook is a current employee; and Robinson is West’s girlfriend. West and Howard searched for and identified mail, and over-labeled it to redirect it from its original sender’s intended recipient to themselves, Cook, Lewis, Robinson and others. The diverted mail included clothing, marijuana, electronics, computer equipment, pottery and personal effects.
If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General and the Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Franks is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
