A Calumet City man, Isaiah Jordan, has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison for his involvement in a bank fraud scheme using stolen mail from Carbondale. Jordan, aged 31, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, mail theft, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
"Communities depend on the U.S. Postal Service to communicate with loved ones and pay bills," said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. She commended the Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts in leading the investigation and bringing those involved to justice.
Jordan's co-conspirators, Brian R. Nevils and Quentin S. Abrams, both aged 25 from South Holland and Charleston respectively, also pleaded guilty to similar charges. Abrams received a sentence of time served in April while Nevils was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment in September.
Court documents reveal that the defendants used a stolen master key to access mail collection boxes throughout Carbondale. They altered payees and amounts on stolen checks before depositing them into accounts of co-conspirators or transferring funds into their own accounts.
"This sentencing illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions," stated Ruth Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Chicago Division.
The criminal activities led by Nevils, Jordan, and Abrams resulted in more than 100 checks being stolen from over 50 individuals between March and July 2020. The estimated financial loss totaled $396,971.83.
Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno highlighted the collaboration between local and federal agencies as crucial in solving this case: "Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our city."
In addition to his prison sentence, Jordan must serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration and pay restitution amounting to $396,971.83.
Another individual implicated in the scheme is Demarius L. Flakes from Blue Island who faces several charges but remains in custody on separate matters.
The investigation was conducted by the Carbondale Police Department alongside the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman.