For Conspiring To Rob And Aiding And Abetting The Robbery
HAMMOND -James Caffey, age 28 and Tanisha Banks, age 38, of Merrillville, Indiana were both convicted on Jan. 28, 2019 of conspiring to rob as well as aiding and abetting the robbery of United States Postal employees of mail and money that was in the custody and control of the U.S. Postal Service. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Theresa Springmann presided over the 4 day jury trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Tanisha Banks and James Caffey, conspired with a third person, Leeroy Beck to rob the Tolleston Station Post Office in Gary, Indiana on Aug. 3, 2017. Tanisha Banks, a Postal Service employee with experience working at the Tolleston Station, provided the logistics for the robbery while her boyfriend, James Caffey, handled transportation to and from the robbery. Together Banks and Caffey recruited the gunman, Leeroy Beck, who would actually carry out the robbery. At trial evidence was presented establishing that Caffey provided Beck with a handgun to use during the robbery. On Aug. 3, 2017, after holding two employees at gun point, Leeroy Beck stole money and mail from the Postal Service. The cash was divided amongst the conspirators. Banks and Caffey used their share from the robbery to pay bills including a car note on the gray Dodge Charger James Caffey used to drive the gunman to and from the robbery.
The gunman, Leeroy Beck, entered into a guilty plea with the government prior to trial.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
