WASHINGTON \u2014 6\/22\/26 – Ibrahim De La Cruz, 26, of the District, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service maintenance worker from whom he took postal master keys that he used to steal high volumes of mail from luxury apartment buildings across the District, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u00a0armed robbery of a federal employee is an attack on the integrity of our public institutions and the safety of those who serve this community,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Pirro. \u201cAfter stealing USPS master keys, De La Cruz\u00a0used those keys to gain unauthorized access to mailboxes throughout the region, stealing mail, packages, and financial information belonging to residents. His conduct was calculated, far?reaching, and deeply harmful\u00a0to victims whose mail he targeted. Today\u2019s plea ensures he will be held fully accountable for the damage he inflicted on residents throughout the\u00a0District\u00a0and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
De La Cruz, aka \u201cBlack Migo,\u201d\u00a0pleaded guilty\u00a0before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan\u00a0to one count of robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States.\u00a0The charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.\u00a0Judge Sooknanan scheduled sentencing for\u00a0December 8.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2024, De La Cruz approached a U.S. Postal Service employee who was performing maintenance on a USPS collection box in Northwest Washington and demanded the employee\u2019s USPS Arrow Keys. The employee complied, and De La\u00a0Cruz\u00a0fled with the keys.<\/p>\n
Using\u00a0the\u00a0stolen keys, De La Cruz carried out a series of high-volume mail thefts from\u00a0residential buildings across the region. Investigators tied him\u00a0to the crimes\u00a0through surveillance\u00a0footage, Instagram posts, and cell phone tracking. His targets included\u00a0locations\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a01400 block of R Street NW; the outdoor mail area of 17th<\/sup>\u00a0Street NW; and mailboxes\u00a0located\u00a0at 2419 Ontario Road NW<\/p>\n De La Cruz\u00a0also used\u00a0a credit card\u00a0stolen\u00a0from the mail\u00a0to\u00a0make purchases for his own benefit.<\/p>\n The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the\u00a0Army Criminal Investigation Division.<\/p>\n The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Akhtar.<\/p>\n See photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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