Postal Inspectors honor local crime fighters
Task force helps solve cases totaling $59.8 million

Over the past decade, upstate South Carolina was plagued with drug-related mail theft and financial crimes, challenging Postal Inspectors and local authorities.

In 2008, Postal Inspectors joined forces with local authorities to form the Upstate Financial Crimes Task Force to fight these crimes. Since then, the cooperative effort helped make arrests in 51 cases, affecting 6,336 victims, with total losses of $59.8 million.

At a June 12 press conference in Greenville, U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles of the South Carolina District’s U.S. Department of Justice, Charlotte Division Inspector in Charge Keith Fixel and Postal Inspector-Team Leader Steve Stebbins thanked city and county officials for their help protecting the public. They also recognized five local law enforcement officers for their assistance in securing arrests in three major cases, each involving stolen mail and checks.

“Besides a more efficient use of resources,” said Stebbins, “the value of participating in a local task force is in bringing federal charges against these criminals and investigating their possible connection to a larger network.”

Fixel also gave remarks, including seven consumer tips to protect against mail theft.

Source: USPS News Link