Two Men Sentenced to a Combined 14 Years in Prison for Robbing Mail Carriers in Metro Detroit

DETROIT – Two men were sentenced today for armed robberies that targeted U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division.

Sentenced were Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31 of Detroit and Terrance Tucker, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona. United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmund sentenced Smith-Ellis and Tucker each to 7 years in federal prison.

According to court records, in September and October 2023, Smith-Ellis and Tucker robbed mail carriers, at gun point, in Taylor and Northville, Michigan and demanded their “arow keys” or USPS master keys that can be used to access postal mailboxes to steal mail for the suspects’ gains.  Law enforcement arrested Smith-Ellis and Tucker, within minutes after the armed robbery of the mail carrier in Northville. A search of the vehicle driven by the defendants revealed firearms, gear, several credit cards in other people’s name along with a USPS key ring and an “arrow key”.

“We all know the commitment of postal carriers to deliver the mail no matter the conditions. And we are committed to protecting them as they do their job,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “These violent criminals deserve a serious sentence.”

“The safety of postal employees is a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service,” said Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division. “Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who attempt or conspire to harm postal employees for personal gain: we will find you and we will ensure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We would also like to thank our local law enforcement partners for their invaluable assistance in this investigation.”

USPIS investigated this case with assistance provided by Taylor, Northville, and Livonia police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan Ho prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.