Four people from the St. Louis area, including a former employee of the U.S. Postal Service, have been sentenced for their involvement in a scheme to steal checks from the mail and commit bank fraud, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus.
The sentences ranged from 12 months to 80 months in prison, with all four ordered to pay $44,135 in restitution.
U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Wynter Hinton, a former mail carrier, to 12 months in prison on August 5. Ryan McKinney received a sentence of 28 months on July 17. Jayden Burklow was sentenced in June to 57 months, and Johnathan Barnett was sentenced in April to 80 months.
From January 2022 through September 2023, Barnett purchased a key to U.S. Postal Service collection boxes from Hinton. Using this key, Barnett and others—including McKinney and Burklow—stole mail from collection boxes across St. Louis County. Hinton also took checks directly from the mail during her postal route.
Barnett, Burklow, and McKinney altered the stolen checks and recruited individuals who allowed their bank accounts to be used for depositing these fraudulent checks. They withdrew funds before banks could identify the checks as fraudulent. Authorities said that Barnett, Burklow, and McKinney attempted at least $800,000 worth of fraud using this method.
During a court-approved search of Barnett’s home on September 15, 2023, investigators found him with an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a high-capacity drum magazine, four additional firearms, and equipment used for making checks.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Central Area Field Office. “The OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
Barnett pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and being a felon in possession of a firearm; he is 30 years old and resides in University City.
Hinton pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a mail key; she is 29 years old and lives in St Ann.
McKinney (25) from St Louis and Burklow (21) from O’Fallon (Illinois) both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud as well as possession of stolen mail.
The case was investigated by several agencies: The U.S. Postal Inspection Service; The U.S.Postal Service Office of Inspector General; The Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; Creve Coeur Police Department; University City Police Department.The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll.
