A Brooklyn, New York man has admitted to an identity theft charge related to a scheme involving fraudulent purchases from the U.S. Postal Service. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, Ezekiel Bailey, 33, waived indictment and entered his guilty plea in federal court in New Haven.
Authorities said that an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began after reports surfaced about an individual using bad checks to buy large amounts of postage stamps at post offices in Connecticut and nearby states. Investigators determined that Bailey used stolen identities, fake driver’s licenses, and checks tied to bank accounts opened with victims’ names to acquire $98,000 worth of stamps from post offices across Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, and other locations.
Bailey was arrested on January 20, 2023 on state charges after he tried to purchase $300 worth of postage stamps at a Stonington post office. At the time of his arrest, he had two fake driver’s licenses bearing names of identity theft victims. He was later charged federally on November 26, 2024.
“David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division,” announced the plea agreement.
Bailey pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. This crime carries a mandatory prison sentence of two years. Sentencing is set for December 9.
He is currently released on a $25,000 bond while awaiting sentencing.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is leading the investigation into this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George is prosecuting.
