According to court documents and statements made in court, from September 2024 to February 2025, Santiago engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.  During the investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted multiple packages that were mailed from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Connecticut.  Each package was intended for Santiago and contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine.

Santiago was arrested on February 12, 2025.  At time of his arrest, a search of residence revealed a package of cocaine that had been mailed from Puerto Rico, and additional quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

In total, investigators seized more than 11 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation.

Santiago pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 23.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

WASHINGTON?— 4/22/26 – Congressman Dale Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured two key provisions for North Alabama in the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, which passed out of the committee on Wednesday.

“West Michiganders know how quickly severe weather can disrupt daily life, including something as essential as receiving your mail,” said Rep. Scholten. “My Postal Alert and Weather Preparedness Act would take a commonsense step to modernize USPS communications so families can be better informed, plan ahead, and stay safe during inclement weather. This is about making sure our federal agencies are working smarter and more effectively for the people they serve.”

Currently, USPS is not authorized to contact customers to inform them of mail delays or weather alerts, which has led towidespread confusion over delivery timelines during severe weather. This practical step would allow USPS to send electronic communications regarding delivery delays due to inclement weather or natural disasters, as well as advice to residents on clearing walkways to their homes during winter weather events.

The board’s expected agenda is:

1. Call to order and opening remarks from the chairwoman
2. Remarks from the postmaster general and CEO
3. Committee reports
4. Quarterly financial report
5. Quarterly service performance report
6. Approval of the meeting minutes
7. Approval of the tentative agenda for the August open meeting
8. Adjournment

Open session meetings of the USPS Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.

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Between March and September 29, 2023, Adams conspired with others to obtain hundreds of checks that had been stolen from U.S. Postal Service mailboxes in the Rochester, NY, area. Adams and his co-conspirators would then forge or alter the checks with the intent to obtain money from the associated bank accounts. Adams used social media to recruit individuals to cash or deposit the checks into their own accounts and withdraw the money before the issuing bank detected the fraud. If the individuals successfully cashed the checks, they would give the money to the members of the conspiracy in return for a small payment. On September 29, 2023, in furtherance of the conspiracy, Adams was found in possession of 15 pages of blank check stock paper and approximately 335 checks that had been stolen between April and June 2023 from U.S. Postal Service blue collection boxes. Some of the checks had been altered by washing them with acetone.

The scheme involved approximately 227 individual victims and 36 business victims, in addition to the victim financial institutions, and stolen and altered checks totaling approximately $516,912.17.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Postal Inspector-in-Charge Jason Buckley, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.

The financial impact of the waiver in its full term lifts Commission restrictions on how the Postal Service may use approximately $2.4 billion of revenue in FY 2026, and potentially a total of $15 billion or more by the end of FY 2030, which the Commission has already provided through the Retirement Obligation Rate Authority.

The Commission’s Order follows a Postal Service request that the Commission repeal regulations mandating it to contribute minimum amounts toward certain retiree benefits. The Postal Service asserts that it is running out of cash, and it would be able to utilize revenue meant for certain retiree benefits for other purposes, such as covering operating expenditures and funding capital investments, if the Commission grants its petition to repeal the rules requiring it to make these payments.

Due to the seriousness of the Postal Service’s reasons for seeking a repeal of Commission regulations, the Commission has expeditiously granted the waiver in the interest of the public and to provide the Postal Service some breathing room and flexibility to repurpose revenues that it would have used for retiree benefits to execute its contingency plans to avoid running out of cash.

In fact, for more than a decade, the Postal Service has defaulted on its retiree amortization payments and only began making partial payments over the past few years as a result of the additional revenue that comes directly from the Retirement Obligation Rate Authority that the Commission has authorized the Postal Service to generate since 2021. This Order waives the Commission’s rules only on how that revenue is used and does not alter the statutory payment obligations of the Postal Service.

The Commission urges all stakeholders to treat the breathing room provided by the Temporary Conditional Waiver as an opportunity to work toward meaningful and lasting change. In particular, the Commission urges Congress to use this time to address the underlying issue highlighted by the

Commission and the Government Accountability Office in recommending that Congress should consider reassessing and determining the level of universal postal service the nation requires and how that can best be funded.

Questions and Answers regarding this Temporary Conditional Waiver follow this Press Release.

That’s how this investigation got its start in Toledo, OH, after postal inspectors suspected an employee was helping criminals move drugs through the U.S. Mail. The packages under surveillance were all addressed to locations along this employee’s mail route, yet most never reached their intended recipients.

Our special agents teamed up with USPIS and the Drug Enforcement Administration to execute a search warrant on a suspicious package. Though the parcel had children’s toys, school supplies, and other seemingly harmless items, it was actually a decoy concealing over 2 lbs. of cocaine and 1 lb. pound of heroin laced with deadly fentanyl. With their suspicions confirmed, they were ready to apprehend the suspects.

Investigators discovered that the accomplice would coordinate meeting spots along the carrier’s delivery route, where the packages were exchanged for cash. The pair attempted to hide their activities by using false identities, changing addresses, and often changing their meeting locations. Despite these efforts, authorities arrested them during a planned handoff.

After his arrest, the postal employee was suspended and subsequently terminated from the Postal Service. The employee received a two-year prison sentence, while his accomplice was sentenced to more than 10 years. Both are subject to supervised release with special conditions for mental health treatment and substance abuse support.

If you suspect or know of narcotics trafficking involving Postal Service employees or contractors, please report it to our Hotline. And if you or someone you know is suffering from a substance use disorder, there are resources that can help, such as FindTreatment.gov.

Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  The right to vote in Federal elections is reserved exclusively for citizens of the United States under the Constitution and Federal law.  Federal statutes explicitly prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote or voting in Federal elections and impose criminal penalties for violations.  (18 U.S.C. 241; 18 U.S.C. 611; 18 U.S.C. 1015; and 52 U.S.C. 20511).  The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records that, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program under 42 U.S.C. 1320b-7, can assist in verifying identity and Federal election voter eligibility.

The Federal Government has an unavoidable duty under Article II of the Constitution of the United States to enforce Federal law, which includes preventing violations of Federal criminal law and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes.  To enhance election integrity via the United States Mail, additional measures are necessary.  Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters.  Unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, enable confirmation that only citizens receive and cast ballots, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the integrity of Federal elections.

Sec. 2.  Establishment and Transmission of State Citizenship Lists and Prioritization of Investigations and Prosecutions Related to Election Fraud.  (a)  To the extent feasible and consistent with applicable law, including but not limited to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and in coordination with the Commissioner of SSA, shall take appropriate action to compile and transmit to the chief election official of each State a list of individuals confirmed to be United States citizens who will be above the age of 18 at the time of an upcoming Federal election and who maintain a residence in the subject State (State Citizenship List).  The State Citizenship List shall be derived from Federal citizenship and naturalization records, SSA records, SAVE data, and other relevant Federal databases.  The State Citizenship List shall be updated and transmitted to State election officials no fewer than 60 days before each regularly scheduled Federal election, or promptly upon request by a State in connection with any special Federal election.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish procedures to (i) allow individuals to access their individual records as well as to update or correct them in advance of elections; and (ii) enable States to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State Citizenship List transmitted thereto.  An individual’s identification on the State Citizenship List does not indicate that the individual has been properly registered to vote in the State.  State and Federal laws and State procedures must still be followed for an individual to be registered to vote.  There may be State laws, not reflected in the State Citizenship List, that preclude voter registration, or the individual may choose not to be registered.

(b)  For purposes of this order, an individual is “eligible to vote in a Federal election” if the individual is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the upcoming election, and otherwise qualified under the laws of his or her State.  The Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of State and local officials or any others involved in the administration of Federal elections who issue Federal ballots to individuals not eligible to vote in a Federal election, including under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.  Similarly, the Attorney General shall prioritize the investigation and, as appropriate, the prosecution of individuals and public or private entities engaged in, or aiding and abetting, the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots to individuals who are not eligible to vote in a Federal election.

Sec. 3.  United States Postal Service Rulemaking on Mail-In and Absentee Ballots.  (a)  The unlawful use of the mail in connection with elections is prohibited by various Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1708, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.

(b)  To ensure the faithful execution of Federal law, protect the integrity of the mail as a medium for transmitting Federal election ballots and establish uniform standards for mail-in or absentee ballot services implemented through the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Postmaster General is hereby directed to initiate a proposed rulemaking pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 401 and other applicable authority within 60 days of the date of this order.  The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include, at minimum, the following:

(i)    Proposed provisions specifying that all outbound ballot mail must be mailed in an envelope that:

(A)  is marked as Official Election Mail, including through designated markings provided by USPS for this purpose, such as the Official Election Mail logo, as necessary and appropriate;

(B)  is automation-compatible and bears a unique Intelligent Mail barcode, or successor USPS technology, that facilitates tracking and is consistent with the other requirements of this section; and

(C)  has undergone a mail envelope design review by the USPS to ensure compliance with USPS mailing standards, including barcode placement.

(ii)   Proposed provisions specifying that, no fewer than 90 days prior to a Federal election, any State may choose to notify the USPS if it intends to allow for mail-in or absentee ballots to be transmitted by the USPS.  As part of that notification, any notifying State should further indicate whether it intends to submit to the USPS, no fewer than 60 days before the election, a list of voters eligible to vote in a Federal election in such State to whom the State intends to provide a mail-in or absentee ballot to be transmitted via the USPS.

(iii)  Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list described in subsection (b)(iv) of this section with the USPS pursuant to this subsection.

(iv)   Proposed provisions specifying that the USPS shall provide each State with a list of individuals (Mail-In and Absentee Participation List) who are enrolled with the USPS, pursuant to a process specified in the rulemaking directed by this subsection, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided by such State, along with unique ballot envelope identifiers, such as bar codes, for mail-in or absentee ballots provided to such individuals.  The preparation and transmission of each State-specific Mail-In and Absentee Participation List shall comply with the Privacy Act and all applicable use agreements.

(v)    Proposed procedures enabling each State to routinely supplement and provide suggested modifications or amendments to the State’s Mail-In and Absentee Participation List in advance of any Federal election, consistent with applicable State law.

(c)  The USPS shall coordinate with the USPS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice for investigation of suspected unlawful use of the mail involving Federal election materials.

(d)  Any final rule pursuant to this section shall be issued no later than 120 days from the date of this order.

Sec. 4.  Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of SSA, and the Postmaster General shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.

(b)  The Attorney General shall enforce compliance with the applicable Federal statutes referenced herein and provide guidance to election officials, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots.

(c)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 90 days of the date of this order, establish the infrastructure necessary to compile, maintain, and transmit the State Citizenship List described in section 2(a) of this order, and shall designate a point of contact within DHS to receive and process requests from individuals and State election officials regarding the relevant State Citizenship List.  The Commissioner of SSA shall provide all necessary citizenship and identity data to the Secretary of Homeland Security in support of this requirement, consistent with applicable law, the Privacy Act, and all applicable use agreements.

Sec. 5.  Enforcement.  The Attorney General and the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) with relevant authority shall take all lawful steps to deter and address noncompliance with Federal law, including withholding Federal funds from noncompliant States and localities where such withholding is authorized by law.  Evidence of violations of existing Federal laws by State or local election officials; States or localities, including any instrumentalities thereof; contractors; individuals involved in the administration of Federal elections; or public or private entities engaged in the printing, production, shipment, or distribution of ballots may be referred to the Department of Justice for consideration of investigation or charges under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 18 U.S.C. 241, 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 611(a), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1015, 52 U.S.C. 10307, and 52 U.S.C. 20511.  States and localities should preserve, for a 5-year period, all records and materials — excluding ballots cast — evidencing voter participation in any Federal election (e.g., ballot envelopes, regardless of carrier).

Sec. 6.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)  the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

March 31, 2026.

Holgate and Benson appeared in federal court for their arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for June 2, 2026, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.

If convicted, Holgate and Benson face a maximum of five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit mail theft. Each count of theft of mail carries a maximum of five years’ imprisonment.

This case was jointly investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.