Former mail recovery clerks Daniqua Clark and Deneeka Ferguson have pleaded guilty to charges related to stealing items from the mail and, in Clark's case, fraudulently obtaining pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to a March 13 statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights concerns about public trust in federal employees and the misuse of relief programs intended for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency in its district, coordinating cases with nationwide and international dimensions and prioritizing prosecution of threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, and civil rights violations according to the official website.
"Clark abused the public’s trust by stealing thousands of dollars of items from the mail and obtaining two fraudulent PPP loans for a non-existent business while serving as a federal employee," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out and hold accountable government employees who compromise their integrity and violate the public’s trust for their own personal gain."
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General said, "This guilty plea sends a strong message to any U.S. Postal Service employee who decides to violate the public’s trust in this manner. As proven in this case, our criminal investigators and the legal teams at the U.S. Attorney’s Office will diligently pursue anyone who steals U.S. Mail and attempts to commit COVID-19 fraud and exploit programs created to help legitimate people and businesses affected by the global pandemic."
Court documents show that between May 2023 and February 2024, Clark worked with Ferguson at Atlanta's Mail Recovery Center—the official “lost and found” department for undeliverable USPS mail—to steal cash, gift cards, fragrances, pill containers, and other items from undeliverable packages. Both admitted their roles during interviews with law enforcement agents; searches recovered stolen goods from Clark's locker and car.
Investigators also found that Clark obtained two PPP loans totaling $36,402 using false tax documents for a non-existent business; she used these funds for personal expenses rather than payroll as required by program rules.
Clark pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to commit mail theft and mail theft, plus two counts of wire fraud; Ferguson pleaded guilty to five counts of obstruction of mail. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11 before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg.
The Department of Justice established its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May 2021 to combat pandemic-related fraud through coordinated efforts across agencies. The office covers a region serving 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs, and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas.
Hertzberg currently holds his position as United States Attorney for this district according to official information. The office enforces federal criminal laws while representing civil matters on behalf of the United States as reported by its website.
