Press Release
Man Indicted for Possession of a Postal Service Mail Key and Stolen Mail
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that HAVON MONTGOMERY, age 19, of New Orleans, was charged on December 14, 2023 in Count 1 of a two-count indictment with for Unlawful Possession and Use of a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail “arrow” key, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1704. Such keys are used by Postal Service employees to access authorized mail receptacles. Additionally, MONTGOMERY was charged in Count 2 with Possession of Stolen Mail that had been deposited into authorized mail receptacles, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708.
According to the indictment, on August 22, 2023, the defendant was found in possession of approximately 132 pieces of stolen mail as well as the USPS mail key. If convicted, MONTGOMERY faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment on the unlawful possession of the United States Postal Service mail key count, and up to five (5) years imprisonment on the possession of the stolen mail items count. Each count carries up to three (3) years of supervised release following any prison term, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is charge of the prosecution.
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated December 21, 2023
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