ST. LOUIS – A man who orchestrated a conspiracy that stole checks from the U.S. mail and then committed bank fraud was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp also ordered Dareon Graham to repay $46,434 to victims.
In 2022, Graham obtained a stolen key that opened mail collection boxes and gave that key to his co-defendant Tyrell Hardin. Graham agreed to pay Hardin to steal mail and told him to target specific collection boxes in and around St. Louis County. Hardin gave the stolen mail to Graham, who opened the mail and removed checks. Graham then recruited bank and credit union account holders to allow their accounts to be used to deposit checks after Graham had altered them.
During the scheme, Graham deposited or caused the deposit of fraudulent checks totaling at least $103,457 and obtained $46,434 in proceeds.
“This sentencing is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” said Acting Inspector in Charge John Jackman, who leads the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers.”
Graham’s case came at a time of rising incidents of mail theft and robberies of and attacks on U.S. Postal Service employees. The Postal Service has responded by enhancing the security of mail collection boxes and investigations of crimes associated with the mail. There were 1,025 arrests associated with mail theft cases and 213 associated with robberies from May 12, 2023 through March 2024, according to the Postal Inspection Service.
Graham, 23, of Ferguson, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail theft, bank fraud, and possession of stolen mail matter. Hardin, 22, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft and two counts of mail theft.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case along with several local police departments including Maryland Heights Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, Frontenac Police Department, St. Peters Police Department and Town and Country Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow prosecuted the case.
