Two Men Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Mail Theft Spree

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter Rendina, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the arrest of STEVEN CARSON and DEREK BROWN, both of whom were charged in a complaint with stealing mail from Postal Service mailboxes.  In addition, CARSON was charged with using a stolen mail box key to steal mail.  Both CARSON and BROWN will be presented today in White Plains federal court before the Honorable Judith C. McCarthy.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “Thanks to the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Brown and Carson’s alleged mail theft spree has come to an end.”  

USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Peter Rendina stated:  “The crime of mail theft is a violation of the trusted tradition our customers place in the delivery and receipt of the U.S. Mail.  No matter how long it takes or the rhetoric spoken, Postal Inspectors are watching and always on the investigative forefront in keeping the U.S. Mail safe from theft.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed in White Plains federal court:[1]

On April 2, 2018, BROWN redeemed a stolen gift card at a Gap store the same day that a Bronxville victim mailed the card.  Two days later, on April 4, 2018, CARSON deposited two money orders stolen from the mail into an account in BROWN’s name.  Then, on April 20, 2018, CARSON and BROWN fled from police officers during a traffic stop in Eastchester, New York, after the officers recovered a bag full of mail in their car.  In total, the bag contained more than $66,000 in stolen checks and money orders taken from the mail.  CARSON was also captured on video surveillance on four separate occasions – April 18, 19, 20 and May 4, 2018 – opening locked Postal Service boxes and stealing mail in Bronxville.  The investigation is continuing.

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CARSON, 27, and BROWN, 28, of Yonkers, New York, are each charged with one count of mail theft, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  CARSON is also charged with one count of stealing a Postal Service key, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, the Yonkers Police Department, the Bronxville Police Department, the Eastchester Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Sam Adelsberg is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.