Show-Me State Times

Two men in the St. Louis area have pleaded guilty to charges related to a mail theft and bank fraud conspiracy. Dareon Graham, 23, of Ferguson, Missouri, admitted to conspiracy to commit mail theft, bank fraud, and possession of stolen mail matter. Meanwhile, Tyrell Hardin, 21, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail theft and two counts of mail theft.

According to their guilty pleas, the men were involved in a scheme where they stole mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes to obtain personal and business checks. Graham organized the conspiracy, providing Hardin with a stolen key to open collection boxes. Hardin then targeted specific collection boxes in and around St. Louis County, stealing the mail and giving it to Graham, who extracted the checks.

Hardin was found to have stolen mail from various locations and texted Graham a photo of checks totaling $32,792 that he had taken. Additionally, he attempted to steal mail from other collection boxes in October 2022. Graham, on the other hand, used the stolen checks to commit bank fraud, altering and depositing them into accounts of recruited individuals. This resulted in fraudulent deposits totaling at least $103,457 and obtaining $46,434 in proceeds.

Both men are awaiting sentencing, with Hardin scheduled for June 4 and Graham for July 3. The charges they face carry penalties of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both for conspiracy, mail theft, and possession of stolen mail matter, while the bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both.

The investigation into the case involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and various local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.