Kevaughn Wellington and Ky-Mani Straker, both former employees of the United States Postal Service, were sentenced on April 14 for their roles in a scheme involving the theft and sale of U.S. Treasury checks from the John F. Kennedy International Airport mail facility.
The sentencing highlights ongoing concerns about the misuse of public trust by government employees and efforts by law enforcement to address financial crimes affecting taxpayers.
Wellington received a sentence of 60 months in prison and was ordered to forfeit $100,000. Straker was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with a forfeiture order of $57,945.56. Both men were also ordered to pay $405,696.98 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing government funds and conspiring to steal government funds.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. 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.” Nocella added that his office is committed to holding accountable those who misuse taxpayer funds.
Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge at USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), said: “The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity throughout the Postal Service and its workforce... The sentence imposed on the defendants will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals commit crimes targeting the U.S Mail.”
According to prosecutors, from June 2021 through August 2023 Wellington worked with others at JFK’s mail facility as a clerk stealing parcels containing Treasury checks—over 125 valued at more than $4 million—including Social Security benefits, COVID relief payments, and tax refunds. Together with Straker they sold these stolen checks below face value; Straker also deposited some into his own account using false endorsements.
Michael L.J. Carpenter from TIGTA said: “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 stated: “We rely on the integrity of the postal network, and today’s sentencing holds these fraudsters accountable...” Matt McCool from U.S Secret Service added: “The defendants' brazen selfishness not only violated public trust but directly harmed citizens they were supposed to serve by illegally siphoning funds -- resources those people were relying on -- for their own personal gain.”
Law enforcement discovered over 350 videos and images on Wellington’s phone depicting Treasury checks not addressed either him or Straker.
