A former postal carrier in Clayton, Missouri, pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a scheme involving the theft of checks from the mail and selling access to secure postal collection boxes.
Cambria M. Hopkins, 30, of Florissant, admitted to one count of conspiracy and one count of unlawful use of a mail key. According to court documents, Hopkins joined an effort to steal mail containing personal and business checks with the knowledge that they would be used for fraudulent purposes. On March 20, 2022, she sold her “arrow key,” which unlocks U.S. Postal Service collection boxes, to Malik A. Jones and provided information about which boxes could be accessed with the key. Jones then paid others to steal mail using this key.
In addition to facilitating access for others, Hopkins also took mail directly from her route and at the Post Office. Between August 2022 and August 2023, she sold stolen checks on multiple occasions to Jones in exchange for cash payments, transfers via CashApp or groceries.
Hopkins faces sentencing on December 1. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the unlawful use of a mail key charge carries up to ten years in prison.
Malik A. Jones, now 28 years old, pleaded guilty on October 25 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges and is awaiting sentencing. He admitted recruiting individuals who allowed him access to their bank accounts so he could deposit forged checks taken from stolen mail.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.
“
