U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Chad Woods, a 29-year-old resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2024, to charges related to mail theft. The charges include conspiracy to steal United States mail, possession of a United States Postal Service (USPS) "arrow" key, and possession of stolen mail. The case is being overseen by United States District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon, who has scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2025.
The indictment details an incident on June 23, 2022, where Woods and an accomplice stole mail from one location and attempted another theft in Kenner, Louisiana. During the operation, Woods used a USPS key while his co-conspirator drove the vehicle. Following a police pursuit, authorities recovered 36 stolen checks—one being a forged counterfeit check—six opened pieces of mail, and the USPS "arrow key."
Woods could face up to five years in prison for both conspiracy to steal U.S. mail and possession of stolen mail counts. Additionally, he faces up to ten years imprisonment for possessing the USPS mail key. Each count may be followed by three years of supervised release and could result in fines up to $250,000 along with a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service alongside local law enforcement agencies including the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Kenner Police Department for their roles in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri from the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
