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New York Woman Sentenced for Bribing Mail Carriers To Steal USPS Keys
Halimatou Ndiaye received a one-year sentence for bribing mail carriers to steal USPS keys, facilitating widespread mail and bank fraud.
Halimatou Ndiaye, a 28-year-old Bronx resident, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison for bribing U.S. Postal Service mail carriers to obtain postal arrow keys, aiding in a major mail theft and bank fraud operation.
In a significant ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, Halimatou Ndiaye faced justice in Newark federal court on November 28, 2023. Ndiaye, who had earlier admitted guilt to charges of bribing mail carriers and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, orchestrated a complex scheme that targeted East Orange and Newark postal services.
Court documents reveal Ndiaye's operation: offering $5,000 cash bribes to mail carriers for postal arrow keys. These keys, critical for unlocking multiple mail receptacles, enabled Ndiaye and accomplices to perpetrate widespread mail theft. Between June and July 2021, they actively sought these keys, approaching carriers directly with offers.
Further compounding her crimes, Ndiaye conspired from January to July 2021 to defraud banks using stolen checks and bank cards. The scheme involved drawing funds from accounts linked to these stolen items and exploiting other individuals' identities for fraudulent financial gain.
Judge Wigenton's sentence extends beyond prison time. Ndiaye also faces three years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $6,361 in restitution.
This case, shedding light on the vulnerabilities of postal systems to such criminal activities, was brought to a close due to the diligent work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark. Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, leading the Philadelphia Division, was instrumental in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark represented the government in this pivotal case.
The conviction and sentencing of Ndiaye serve as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of undermining postal security and engaging in bank fraud, ensuring the integrity of the U.S. postal system and financial institutions.
