A former postal employee from the Bronx has admitted to stealing valuable trading cards and sports memorabilia from the mail. Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced that Shelby Dozier, 34, pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal service employee before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas.
Dozier was employed as a sorting clerk at the United States Postal Service in August 2022 and worked at the Clifton Main Post Office. Soon after his employment began, several parcels intended for a consignment auction house in Clifton went missing. This company specializes in trading cards and sports memorabilia received from customers worldwide.
Between September 2022 and December 2022, Dozier stole items from at least ten parcels meant for this auction house. He then sold these stolen goods to individual buyers or sports collectible stores. As part of his plea agreement, Dozier agreed to pay restitution amounting to $108,692.49 to the victims.
The charge of theft of mail by a postal employee carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain derived from the offense. Sentencing is set for April 22, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents from the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General under Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modaferri's direction, along with postal inspectors from the United States Postal Inspection Service led by Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen, for their work on this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark represents the government in this case.
Defense counsel for Dozier is Areeb Salim, Esq.