U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker | U.S. Department of Justice
Anthony J. "A.J." Williams, a 20-year-old from Columbus, has been sentenced to seven years and one day in prison by the U.S. District Court for armed robberies involving United States postal carriers.
"Today’s sentencing shows our continued commitment to holding accountable individuals who break the law in relation to mail theft," stated U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. "Our investigations and prosecutions will be vigorous, and the end results will be significant. Williams’s seven-year prison sentence is just one example of that."
Court documents reveal that on November 9, 2022, Williams committed an armed robbery of a USPS letter carrier delivering mail on Michigan Avenue in Columbus. The postal worker was at an apartment complex's cluster box when approached by Williams.
Williams borrowed a Glock19 from one accomplice and was driven by another before confronting the mail carrier with the firearm, demanding and taking the postal keys from the carrier's belt.
He sent images of the stolen key to another conspirator involved in planning the robbery.
Additionally, Williams collaborated with this co-conspirator for a planned postal robbery on Christmas Eve 2022 and repeatedly used stolen keys to steal mail.
In January 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Williams leading to his arrest. He pleaded guilty in July 2024 to charges including brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, committing aggravated robbery of United States property, and conspiring against the United States.
The sentencing was announced by Kenneth L. Parker; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge at FBI Cincinnati Division; and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge at USPIS Pittsburgh Division. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is handling prosecution for this case.
