Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Two men have been sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison for armed robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service mail carriers in the Detroit area, as announced by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
The announcement was made alongside Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division.
Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31, from Detroit and Terrance Tucker, 33, from Phoenix, Arizona were sentenced by United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmund to seven years each in federal prison.
Court records reveal that Smith-Ellis and Tucker committed armed robberies against mail carriers in Taylor and Northville, Michigan during September and October 2023. They demanded "arrow keys," which are USPS master keys used to access postal mailboxes. The two men were arrested shortly after robbing a mail carrier in Northville. A search of their vehicle uncovered firearms, gear, multiple credit cards under different names, a USPS key ring, and an "arrow key."
U.S. Attorney Gorgon stated: “We all know the commitment of postal carriers to deliver the mail no matter the conditions. And we are committed to protecting them as they do their job.” He added that these violent criminals deserve a serious sentence.
Sean McStravick emphasized the priority placed on postal employees' safety by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service: “Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who attempt or conspire to harm postal employees for personal gain: we will find you and we will ensure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” He also thanked local law enforcement partners for their assistance.
The case was investigated by USPIS with help from police departments in Taylor, Northville, and Livonia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan Ho prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
