U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg | U.S. Department of Justice
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced the filing of three criminal complaints related to mail theft. The cases involve separate incidents in Orlando and Sanford.
On October 23, 2024, Ryan Anthony Aheran, a 27-year-old from Orlando, was charged with mail theft. According to the complaint, Aheran allegedly stole mail from cluster mailboxes on October 1, 2024. U.S. Postal Inspectors found over 1,000 pieces of stolen mail in a vehicle associated with Aheran. He was also caught on video surveillance cashing a $9,500 check stolen from the mail in November 2023. If convicted, Aheran could face up to five years in federal prison.
Ottis Nicole McCoy Jr., aged 19 from Sanford, was charged with mail theft on October 24, 2024. McCoy was employed as a contract worker for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and assigned to deliver mail in Orlando. Instead of delivering it, he allegedly dumped more than 1,000 pieces of mail in a wooded area on October 22, including over 400 pieces of election-related mail and an election ballot. Video surveillance reportedly captured McCoy discarding the mail. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
Jaquisha Durant, a 30-year-old from Orlando, was charged with bank fraud on October 25, 2024. The complaint states that Durant obtained debit cards stolen from USPS cluster boxes on April 22 and April 23 and used them for ATM withdrawals. If convicted of bank fraud charges, Durant could face up to thirty years in federal prison.
Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division commented: “The individuals arrested demonstrated no respect for the sanctity of the mail... We understand the critical role we play and we are steadfast in our efforts to secure the delivery of ballot mail and all election mail.”
The cases were investigated by USPIS along with local law enforcement agencies including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Testerman, Richard Varadan, and Diane Hu.
In recent years approximately fifty cases involving theft or destruction of mail have been federally prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District.
A criminal complaint is an allegation that a defendant has violated federal law; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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