U.S. Attorney Announces the Indictment of 11 Former FedEx Express Employees and Two Former Contractors for the U.S. Postal Service on Federal Mail Theft Charges

Memphis, TN – On September 11, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted 11 former FedEx Express employees and two former contractors for the U.S. Postal Service on federal mail theft charges. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictments today.

According to the indictments, the defendants targeted mail such as gift and greeting cards since there was a strong likelihood that they contained U.S. currency. The employees would search through the mail, remove some of the contents, and smuggle items off the premises.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This office takes very seriously our duty to protect the sanctity and security of the United States Postal Service and the U.S. Mail. We work very closely with the United States Postal Inspection Service to defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use by mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings; and to ensure public trust in the mail. These indictments show our collective commitment to hold accountable any persons who violate that sanctity and victimize innocent citizens for their own selfish gains. The citizens of the Western District of Tennessee are counting on us to maintain law and order, and uphold the rule of law in all cases."

"One of the primary duties of this office is also to protect interstate commerce. FedEx Express is a National and Global leader in logistics and shipping, and supports government, business, and commerce across the United States and all over the world. We thank FedEx Express for their responsible corporate citizenship and for their good working relationship with all federal law enforcement agencies, including the United States Postal Inspection Service."

The following defendants have been indicted on obstruction of correspondence or theft and receipt of stolen mail matter. The defendants face up to 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

• Braylon DeShaun Butler, 25, of Memphis, TN
• Posely Renard Jones, 25, of Memphis, TN
• Florence Lucinda Guy, 23, of Memphis, TN
• Shamika Shunta Coleman, 39, of Memphis, TN
• Jamal LaDarius Johnson, 39, of Memphis, TN
• Ronald Bernard Carter Jr., 32, of Memphis, TN
• Katrina Lasha Dunlap, 27, of Memphis, TN
• Yukelia Denise Brown, 31, of Memphis, TN
• Tekesha Brushay Henderson, 26, of Memphis, TN
• Craig Darnell Johnson, 26, of Memphis, TN
• Yolanda Matrice Barbee, 22, of Memphis, TN
• Jerome Timothy Pope, 26, of Memphis, TN
• Cortez B. Spencer, 28, of Memphis, TN

"Theft of mail by employees or outside contractors strikes at the very heart of the public’s confidence in the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail. These indictments are the result of collaborative efforts between U.S. Postal Inspectors and FedEx Express Security personnel to investigate and apprehend individuals who violate the public’s trust while handling the mail," said David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge, Charlotte Division.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service in conjunction with FedEx Express security.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.