A United States Postal Service (USPS) supervisor has admitted to stealing substantial amounts of money and valuable items from the mail. Joivian Tjuana Hayes, 36, from Compton, pleaded guilty in a Santa Ana court to theft of mail matter by a postal employee and unlawful transfer, possession, and use of means of identification.
Hayes worked at the Costa Mesa Post Office where she committed these crimes over nearly a year until December 2024. She took checks mailed through the post office, forged the payees' names, and deposited them into her bank accounts. Hayes stole at least 20 checks totaling approximately $284,000.
In addition to checks, Hayes also took postal money orders worth $3,000. Using mobile banking apps and ATMs for deposits, she was seen wearing a USPS logo t-shirt during some transactions.
A search of Hayes’ home last month uncovered various stolen items including gold coins and historical U.S. currency sent via registered mail. These included a $1 bill from 1917 valued at $675 and a $100 bill from 1914 worth $1,500. Agents also found a pink wallet containing a U.S. Treasury check for $2,599 intended for another individual in Costa Mesa.
The total intended loss from Hayes' actions is estimated between $304,000 to $324,288. This includes both the stolen checks deposited into her accounts and other valuables taken from the mail.
United States District Judge John W. Holcomb will sentence Hayes on May 23rd. She faces up to five years in federal prison for theft and up to fifteen years for unlawful transfer charges.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General with Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell handling prosecution duties.