A United States Postal Service supervisor has been arrested on charges of bank fraud, following allegations that she stole over $281,000 in checks from the mail. Joivian Tjuana Hayes, 36, a supervisor at the Costa Mesa Post Office, was taken into custody in Santa Ana and is expected to appear in court today.
The criminal complaint accuses Hayes of depositing more than 20 stolen checks into her accounts at multiple banks since July 2024. The affidavit claims that these checks bore forged signatures of the payees, including one check exceeding $114,000. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Hayes making deposits with these forged checks at ATMs located in Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, and Compton.
In addition to the stolen checks totaling over $281,000, Hayes is also suspected of taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gold coins from mail processed through her post office. Federal agents executed search warrants at her residence in Compton and searched her vehicle.
The legal process for Hayes includes the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted on the bank fraud charge outlined in the complaint, she could face up to 30 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell from the Orange County Office is handling the prosecution.