A former postal worker has admitted to stealing checks from the mail and participating in a bank fraud scheme. Kierra Blount, 35, who previously lived in Stamford and now resides in Plymouth, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford.
Court documents and statements show that Blount stole mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford. She obtained checks payable to other individuals and opened a bank account using the name and social security number of an identity theft victim without their knowledge. Between November 2021 and April 2022, Blount and others altered stolen checks by changing payee names to the identity theft victim's name, forging signatures, and depositing them into the fraudulent account.
During this period, approximately $156,000 in fraudulent checks were deposited into the account. Although some deposits were reversed by the bank, about $81,000 was used by Blount and others.
On June 20, 2023, investigators searched Blount’s Stamford residence with court authorization. They found a large amount of stolen mail along with items linked to the scheme: debit cards under various names; checks totaling more than $285,000; and papers containing personal information such as names, birth dates, addresses, email addresses, and answers to security questions. Analysis of seized cell phones revealed images of stolen checks as well as identifying information for over 50 people and communications via Telegram with unknown accomplices.
Blount was indicted on March 26, 2024 and arrested on June 17 of that year.
She pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud—carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years—and one count of unlawful possession of stolen mail—with a maximum five-year term. Sentencing is set for December 9.
Blount is free on a $75,000 bond until sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force with help from police departments in Stamford, Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, West Hartford and Bridgeport. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel is prosecuting the case.
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