Shannon T. Hanson Acting United States Attorney for the District of Delaware | U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware
A Wilmington man has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after being convicted of multiple fraud schemes that netted over $900,000. The sentencing took place on September 18, 2025, as announced by U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray for the District of Delaware.
Court documents show that Crandall Speights, age 43, engaged in a series of fraudulent activities from June 2019 through October 2021. He stole checks from mailboxes at night, altered them, and deposited them into accounts he controlled. This scheme resulted in losses of approximately $345,250 to individuals and banks.
Additionally, between June 2020 and April 2021, Speights submitted six fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program—federal initiatives created to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each application falsely claimed ownership of a small business. Through this activity, Speights defrauded the Small Business Administration out of about $559,999. He also moved these funds among his accounts to hide their origin.
A federal grand jury indicted Speights in September 2023. While released on his own recognizance with conditions to remain local and check in with probation officers, he fled for roughly eight months starting May 2024 until January 2025. Authorities apprehended him in New Jersey where they found additional checks totaling $53,760 along with bank cards and identification belonging to others.
Speights admitted using some of the fraud proceeds for gambling and luxury purchases. Law enforcement seized more than 40 pieces of jewelry valued at around $477,705 from his home—including an 18-karat gold ring with diamonds and sapphires appraised at $75,000 and a gold bracelet worth $102,900—as well as several fur coats and accessories valued at approximately $56,250.
“Fraudsters do real damage to our community, by altering checks found in the mail, diverting taxpayer funds, and looting government programs. We will work hard to ensure that wrongdoers are brought to justice, and that no one may divert people’s hard-earned money for their own personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Julianne Murray.
Yury Kruty of IRS-Criminal Investigation commented: "This is an important victory for the American public. Not only is a criminal going to jail for his crimes, but the government has seized a significant portion of the illegal proceeds through asset forfeiture. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and investigate criminals who engage in such brazen and fraudulent conduct."
Christopher Nielsen from the Postal Inspection Service stated: “Protecting the mail from theft is a core mission of the Postal Inspection Service... By perpetrating mail theft, Mr. Speights harmed real people who were using the mail to pay their bills... I want to recognize the hard work of the Inspectors and the Special Agents from the IRS who worked this investigation... I also want to acknowledge the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in Delaware for their continued support in investigating and prosecuting these cases."
The case was investigated by IRS–Criminal Investigation along with U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly A. Hudson prosecuted.
