San Antonio Man and Woman Charged in Alleged Mail Theft and Financial Institution Fraud Scheme

In San Antonio this week 31-year-old Michael McKinney had his initial appearance before U. S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad on charges of possession of stolen mail, access device fraud, financial institution fraud and aggravated identity theft announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Team Leader Michael R. Martinez-Partida.

McKinney’s co-defendant, 30-year-old Jennifer Burns, had her initial appearance before Judge Bemporad on February 2, 2016.  Burns is charged with possession of stolen mail, financial institution fraud and aggravated identity theft.

As alleged in the indictment, on or about June 28, 2015, McKinney and Burns were caught in possession of stolen mail, including stolen checks, from various San Antonio mailboxes.  Prior to that date, the defendants utilized information from stolen mail, changed the payee name on stolen checks, and cashed the checks at various financial institutions using counterfeit drivers’ licenses. 

Both defendants remain in custody.  Upon conviction, McKinney and Burns each face up to 5 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine for the possession of stolen mail charge; each face up to 30 years in prison and a maximum $1,000,000 fine for the financial institution fraud charge; and each face a mandatory consecutive 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the aggravated identity theft charge.  In addition, McKinney faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine for the access device fraud charge.

“Theft of U.S. Mail is a serious offense and a violation of federal law.  Postal Inspectors work vigorously to identify and bring to justice those responsible for committing this criminal act,” stated Team Leader Michael R. Martinez-Partida of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in San Antonio. 

If you believe you are a victim of mail theft, please contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or at www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov to file a complaint.

Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Moore is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

A criminal indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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