Four people from the St. Louis area have been sentenced for their involvement in a scheme that used stolen checks from the mail to commit bank fraud, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus.
The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp, range from 12 to 80 months in prison. Each defendant has also been ordered to pay $44,135 in restitution.
Wynter Hinton, a former mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, was sentenced on August 5 to 12 months in prison. Ryan McKinney received a 28-month sentence on July 17. Jayden Burklow was given a 57-month sentence in June, and Johnathan Barnett received an 80-month sentence in April.
From January 2022 through September 2023, Barnett purchased a key to U.S. Postal Service collection boxes from Hinton. He and others—including McKinney and Burklow—used this key to steal mail from collection boxes located in St. Louis County. While working her postal route, Hinton also stole checks directly from the mail.
After stealing the checks, Barnett, Burklow and McKinney altered them and recruited individuals who allowed their bank accounts to be used for depositing the fraudulent checks. The group then withdrew funds before banks detected the fraud attempts. In total, they attempted at least $800,000 worth of fraudulent transactions.
During a court-approved search of his home on September 15, 2023, investigators found Barnett—who had prior felony convictions—in possession of an AR-15-style rifle with a high-capacity drum magazine, four other firearms and equipment for making checks.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop of the USPS Office of Inspector General Central Area Field Office. “The OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
Barnett pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of stolen mail and being a felon in possession of a firearm at age 30 while living in University City; Hinton pleaded guilty at age 29 while living in St Ann to unlawful use of a mail key; McKinney (25) from St Louis and Burklow (21) from O’Fallon Illinois both pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to bank fraud as well as possession of stolen mail.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including: The U.S. Postal Inspection Service; The USPS Office of Inspector General; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; Creve Coeur Police Department; University City Police Department—with Assistant U.S Attorney Gwen Carroll prosecuting.
