E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A United States Postal Service supervisor has admitted to stealing substantial amounts of money and valuable items from the mail. Joivian Tjuana Hayes, aged 36 and a resident of Compton, pleaded guilty to charges related to theft of mail matter by a Postal Service employee and unlawful transfer, possession, and use of means of identification.
Hayes, who worked at the Costa Mesa Post Office, confessed to taking approximately $284,000 in checks and up to $40,000 in gold and collectible currency. The stolen items included a Confederate $10 bill among other valuable pieces. The thefts occurred from early last year until December 2024 while she was on duty.
The plea agreement reveals that Hayes deposited stolen checks into her bank accounts by forging payee signatures. She managed to deposit at least 20 checks totaling around $284,000 using mobile banking apps and ATMs. During some ATM transactions, she wore a USPS logo t-shirt.
Law enforcement found multiple gold coins and bills during a search of Hayes' residence last month. These items had been sent via registered mail but were intercepted by Hayes at the Costa Mesa Post Office. Among them were a 1917 $1 bill valued at $675 and a 1914 $100 bill worth $1,500.
Federal agents also discovered various gold pieces in her home, including a $5 gold piece valued at $1,600. A pink wallet containing a U.S. Treasury check for $2,599 addressed to another person was also found in her bedroom.
The total intended loss from Hayes' actions is estimated between $304,000 and $324,288. This includes both the stolen checks deposited into her accounts and other valuable items taken from the mail.
United States District Judge John W. Holcomb has set May 23 for sentencing. Hayes could face up to five years in federal prison for theft and up to 15 years for unlawful transfer charges.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General with Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell handling prosecution duties.
