Kevaughn Wellington and Ky-Mani Straker, both former employees of the United States Postal Service, were sentenced on Apr. 14 to prison for their roles in a scheme to steal and sell U.S. Treasury checks from the John F. Kennedy International Airport mail facility. The sentencing was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, along with several law enforcement partners.
The case highlights concerns about trust in federal institutions and protection of public funds. The stolen checks included Social Security benefits, COVID relief payments, and tax refunds intended for individuals relying on these resources.
Wellington received a sentence of 60 months in prison and must forfeit $100,000; Straker was sentenced to 12 months and ordered to forfeit $57,945.56. Both men are required to pay over $405,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing government funds and conspiracy charges.
Nocella said: “The former postal workers abused their positions of trust at the JFK Mail Facility to fraudulently obtain Treasury checks intended for the well-being of hard-working individuals to whom the funds were owed, and kept the proceeds for themselves...today they paid the price for their greed and disregard of the law.” USPS Office of Inspector General Special Agent Matthew M. Modafferi said: “The special agents of the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate those who choose to steal U.S Mail and defraud the American public...there are severe consequences when individuals commit crimes targeting the U.S Mail.”
Michael L.J. Carpenter from TIGTA stated: “TIGTA's mission is to protect the integrity of our nation's tax administration system...we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners...” NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “We rely on the integrity of the postal network, and today’s sentencing holds these fraudsters accountable...” USSS Special Agent Matt McCool said: “The defendants' brazen selfishness not only violated public trust but directly harmed citizens they were supposed to serve...”
From June 2021 through August 2023, Wellington worked as a mail clerk at JFK Mail Facility where he stole parcels containing Treasury checks with help from others including Straker; together they sold more than 125 stolen checks valued at over $4 million according to investigators.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elias Laris from sections focused on organized crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County according to its official website. It operates as designated federal prosecutor's office handling federal crime prosecutions as well as civil matters representation per its website. The office also supports community outreach efforts according to its official site with locations in Brooklyn and Central Islip as noted online. Breon Peace serves as United States Attorney leading this office as indicated by official information.
