2 Central Ohio men charged with armed robbery of mail carrier

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two local men were arrested by federal agents on allegations they robbed a mail carrier at gunpoint 10 days ago.

Mahad S. Jama, 21, of Westerville, and Da’mon D. May, 18, of Columbus, appeared in federal court today at 1:30pm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson.

According to the criminal complaints, on April 4 at 3:20pm, Jama and May robbed at gunpoint a USPS letter carrier who was sitting in his work vehicle on Sawmill Road in Dublin.

“We continue to investigate a network of individuals involved in robbing or stealing U.S. Postal Service keys for the purposes of accessing mail collection boxes to steal checks,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “As today’s charges show, our law enforcement agencies will work swiftly to identify those allegedly involved in this brazen conduct. We will not tolerate violence in any form, including against Postal workers who are simply trying to fulfill such an important role in serving the community.”

Jama allegedly approached the USPS vehicle, brandished a handgun that May provided him, and demanded the carrier’s U.S. Postal Service key.

Postal Inspectors executed searches at Jama’s and May’s residences yesterday. May was in possession of a firearm and the USPS key. Jama was found to have checks in names other than his own both on his person and in his home.

Aggravated robbery of a Postal employee is a federal crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Lesley C. Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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