USPS Worker Sentenced in Massive Check Theft Scheme

A former U.S. Postal Service employee in Charlotte, N.C., has been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a massive $24 million check theft scheme, undermining public trust in a vital government institution.

Key Takeaways

Nakedra Shannon, a former USPS employee, received a 60-month prison sentence for stealing checks worth over $24 million from the U.S. mail.
Shannon conspired with two others, Desiray Carter and Donell Gardner, who each received 54-month prison terms.
The stolen checks, including U.S. Treasury checks, were sold on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram.
The defendants were ordered to pay $113,333.87 in restitution and face supervised release after their prison terms.
Multiple federal agencies and local police were involved in investigating this extensive breach of postal security.

Massive Postal Theft Scheme Uncovered

In a shocking breach of public trust, former U.S. Postal Service employee Nakedra Shannon has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for her role in a massive check theft scheme in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shannon, who worked as a mail processing clerk at a USPS distribution center from March 2021 to July 2023, conspired with two accomplices to steal checks worth over $24 million from the U.S. mail.

The scheme, which operated between April and July 2023, involved Shannon’s co-conspirators, Desiray Carter and Donell Gardner, who were each sentenced to 54 months in prison. The trio’s criminal activities extended beyond mere theft, as they utilized modern technology to profit from their ill-gotten gains.

USPS employee sentenced to prison after stealing $24 million worth of checks: officials https://t.co/T1XRMZ4o9c

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 10, 2025

High-Tech Criminal Operation

The stolen checks were not simply cashed but were instead sold through the encrypted messaging platform Telegram. This digital marketplace for stolen checks allowed the conspirators to convert their thefts into hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds.

The scale of the operation was staggering. According to official reports, over $12 million in stolen checks were posted for sale on the Telegram channel “OG Glass House.” Even more concerning, more than $8 million of the stolen checks were U.S. Treasury checks, directly impacting government finances and potentially disrupting critical payments to citizens.

Justice Served

The sentencing of Shannon, Carter, and Gardner marks a significant victory in the fight against postal fraud. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King announced the sentences, emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed.

In addition to their prison terms, the defendants face periods of supervised release: two years for Shannon and Carter, and three years for Gardner. The court also ordered them to pay $113,333.87 in restitution, jointly and severally, to compensate for their financial misconduct.

Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort

The successful prosecution of this case was the result of a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation involved the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service and the need for vigilance in protecting the mail system from internal and external threats. As technology evolves, so too do the methods of criminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in our essential services. The successful prosecution of Shannon and her co-conspirators sends a clear message that such breaches of trust will be met with consequences.