BENTON, Ill. — An man from the greater Chicago area was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for taking part in a bank fraud scheme using mail stolen from collections boxes in Carbondale, a Friday statement from the federal prosecutors said.
From Calumet City, Illinois, Isaiah Jordan, 31, pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of mail theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
He was sentenced to 154 months, according to the Friday statement. He will also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
The United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois also named the other conspirators: Brian R. Nevils, a 25-year-old South Holland resident, and Quentin S. Abrams, a 25-year-old Charleston resident.
"The federal judge sentenced Abrams to time served in April and sentenced Nevils to 18 months’ imprisonment in September," the statement said.
The three alleged conspirators used a stolen master key to gain access to mail-collection boxes throughout Carbondale, court documents said.
"Nevils, Jordan and Abrams stole and altered more than 100 checks sent by more than 50 individuals through USPS from March through July 2020. The total estimated loss is $396,971.83," the statement said.
The court ordered Jordan to pay the total aforementioned amount to affected banks in restitution.
Carbondale Police Chief and Interim City Manager Stan Reno credited strong partnership between local and federal agencies for the success.
“The collaboration between the Carbondale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was key in bringing these offenders to justice," the police chief said. "Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our city, protecting both our residents and our institutions from fraudulent schemes.”
Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.
“This sentencing illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions," Mendonça said. "The Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers.”
U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe commended the Carbondale Police Department and USPS's Postal Inspection Service for leading what she called a complex investigation and holding the defendants accountable.
“Communities depend on the U.S. Postal Service to communicate with loved ones and pay bills, but when thieves target collection boxes to steal checks and disrupt the public mailing system, the effects are evident throughout the region,” Aud Crowe said.
