Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Chad Woods, a resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced in connection with a conspiracy to steal U.S. mail. Following his guilty plea made on December 19, 2024, Woods was sentenced on April 24, 2025. The charges include conspiracy to steal United States mail, possession of a USPS "arrow" key, and possession of stolen mail, as per Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 1704, and 1708 respectively.
According to the indictment, on June 23, 2022, Woods and an accomplice stole mail from a location in Kenner, Louisiana. The accomplice drove the vehicle while Woods used the USPS key to commit the theft from the mailboxes. After a pursuit by law enforcement, authorities recovered 36 stolen checks, one counterfeit check, six pieces of opened mail, and the USPS key used for the theft.
United States District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon imposed a sentence of five years of probation on Woods. A special condition of his probation requires him to serve one year under home detention. Additionally, he must pay a $300 special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Kenner Police Department for their roles in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit led the prosecution of the case.