{"id":38034,"date":"2025-06-16T14:46:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=38034"},"modified":"2025-06-16T14:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:46:38","slug":"six-defendants-charged-in-multimillion-dollar-check-theft-and-bank-fraud-ring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2025\/06\/16\/six-defendants-charged-in-multimillion-dollar-check-theft-and-bank-fraud-ring\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Defendants Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Check Theft and Bank Fraud Ring"},"content":{"rendered":"
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6\/12\/25 – The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Edward Gallashaw, announced today the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging six defendants \u2013 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela\u201d; SHAKEEMO HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cKeemo,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLBA Menace,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLex\u201d; WILLIAM HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cEway,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cSkinny\u201d; ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a\/k\/a \u201cA$\u201d; SHURON MALONE, a\/k\/a \u201cFirst Name Last Name\u201d; and CARLOS MERCADO, a\/k\/a \u201cKiz,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cKizzle\u201d \u2013 with participating in a scheme to steal millions of dollars in checks from the mail.\u00a0 EDWARDS and MERCADO were previously taken into custody on related charges, and SHAKEEMO HILL, WILLIAM HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE were arrested earlier today.\u00a0 SHAKEEMO HILL, WILLIAM HILL, and LAUTURE are expected to be presented before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn, and MALONE is expected to be presented in the Middle District of Florida.\u00a0 The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs alleged, the six defendants charged today lined their pockets by stealing checks destined for hard working New Yorkers and others,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. \u201cTogether with our partners at the Postal Inspection Service, we will fight to protect the integrity of the U.S. mail system\u2014a public service upon which millions of Americans rely every day to send items of financial, professional, and personal importance.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe arrests today should send a very clear message that those who engage in mail theft and bank fraud will be held accountable,\u201d said USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw.\u00a0 \u201cThese charges highlight the commitment of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to bring individuals to justice who steal from USPS customers.\u00a0 Thank you to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office and our investigative partners for working tirelessly on this case, and helping to maintain the public\u2019s trust of\u00a0the U.S. Postal Service.\u201d<\/p>\n

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

From at least in or about January 2022 through at least in or about July 2024, the defendants perpetrated a massive scheme to steal millions of dollars in checks from Postal Service collection boxes in New York and elsewhere.\u00a0 As part of their scheme, the defendants conspired to buy or otherwise obtain keys that would allow them to unlock the Postal collection boxes and steal mail, bank cards, and other bank account information.<\/p>\n

After stealing checks from the mail, the defendants and their coconspirators fraudulently altered the information on those checks either by digitally altering the checks and printing them on check stock, or by chemically \u201cwashing\u201d the checks to remove the ink.\u00a0 To avoid getting caught, the defendants also conspired to obtain and exchange information for bank accounts held in the names of third parties for the purpose of depositing the fraudulently altered checks.<\/p>\n

In total, the fraud ring posted millions of dollars in checks for sale on a third-party messaging application, and also deposited millions of dollars in fraudulently altered checks in bank accounts at national banks along the East Coast.<\/p>\n

The members of the conspiracy played different roles.\u00a0EDWARDS served as the leader of the organization, coordinating the purchase of postal keys with others, such as WILLIAM HILL, and the use of those keys to steal mail from postal boxes with other coconspirators, such as WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, and MERCADO.\u00a0 The organization\u2019s activities were lucrative: in the early morning hours of July 10, 2023, EDWARDS and MERCADO used a postal key to steal approximately $176,000 in checks from the mail.\u00a0 Other members of the conspiracy, such as EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE recruited people they knew to supply their bank account information, including account balances and log-in information.\u00a0 And because the stolen checks were not made out to the names on the third-party bank accounts, the members of the fraud ring\u2014including EDWARDS and SHAKEEMO HILL\u2014altered the checks to match the names on those bank accounts.\u00a0 After the checks were altered, the members of the conspiracy, including EDWARDS, WILLIAM HILL, SHAKEEMO HILL, LAUTURE, and MALONE, deposited or recruited others to deposit them into third-party bank accounts.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0*\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0*<\/p>\n

A chart containing the defendants\u2019 names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties is set forth below.<\/p>\n

The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.<\/p>\n

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and Homeland Security Investigations.\u00a0 Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance.<\/p>\n

The case is being prosecuted by the Office\u2019s General Crimes Unit.\u00a0 Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang and William K. Stone are in charge of the prosecution.<\/p>\n

The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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COUNT<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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CHARGE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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DEFENDANTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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MAX. PENALTIES<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Conspiracy to commit bank fraud<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7 1349<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

SHAKEEMO HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cKeemo,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLBA Menace,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLex,\u201d 22;<\/p>\n

WILLIAM HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cEway,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cSkinny,\u201d 29;<\/p>\n

ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a\/k\/a \u201cA$,\u201d 27;<\/p>\n

SHURON MALONE, a\/k\/a \u201cFirst Name Last Name,\u201d 29<\/td>\n

30 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Conspiracy to commit theft of a postal key<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7 371<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;<\/p>\n

WILLIAM HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cEway,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cSkinny,\u201d 29;<\/p>\n

CARLOS MERCADO, a\/k\/a \u201cKiz,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cKizzle,\u201d 22<\/td>\n

Five years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Conspiracy to commit theft of mail and receipt of stolen mail, and sale and receipt of stolen money<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7 371<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;<\/p>\n

SHAKEEMO HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cKeemo,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLBA Menace,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLex,\u201d 22;<\/p>\n

WILLIAM HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cEway,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cSkinny,\u201d 29;<\/p>\n

CARLOS MERCADO, a\/k\/a \u201cKiz,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cKizzle,\u201d 22<\/td>\n

Five years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Theft of a postal key<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1704 and 2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;<\/p>\n

CARLOS MERCADO, a\/k\/a \u201cKiz,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cKizzle,\u201d 22<\/td>\n

10 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Theft of mail and receipt of stolen mail<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1708 and 2<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;<\/p>\n

CARLOS MERCADO, a\/k\/a \u201cKiz,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cKizzle,\u201d 22<\/td>\n

Five years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Aggravated identity theft<\/p>\n

18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1028A(a)(1), 1028A(b), and 2<\/td>\n

MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela,\u201d 30;<\/p>\n

SHAKEEMO HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cKeemo,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLBA Menace,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cLex,\u201d 22;<\/p>\n

WILLIAM HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cEway,\u201d a\/k\/a \u201cSkinny,\u201d 29;<\/p>\n

ALIXANDRIA LAUTURE, a\/k\/a \u201cA$,\u201d 27;<\/p>\n

SHURON MALONE, a\/k\/a \u201cFirst Name Last Name, 29\u201d<\/td>\n

Mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison term<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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edwards_et_al_indictment_pr.pdf<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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[1]<\/a>\u00a0As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[2]<\/a>\u00a0Counts One, Three, and Six charge EDWARDS with committing those offenses while on pretrial release, in violation of 18 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a03147, which subjects him to an additional maximum sentence of 10 years in prison consecutive to any other prison term imposed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

6\/12\/25 – The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Edward Gallashaw, announced today the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging six defendants \u2013 MICHAEL EDWARDS, a\/k\/a \u201cOnly1Giela\u201d; SHAKEEMO HILL, a\/k\/a \u201cKeemo,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,72,110,89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking","category-theftandfraud","category-under-siege","category-postal-crime","last_archivepost"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38034"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38036,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38034\/revisions\/38036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}