Essex County Man Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme

Malachi Jefferson faces up to 30 years in prison after admitting to conspiring with a postal worker to steal and cash over $150,000 in checks.

Malachi Jefferson, a 25-year-old Newark resident, has confessed to participating in a fraudulent scheme involving the theft of checks and subsequent bank fraud, as stated by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Jefferson's plea was entered on April 22, 2024, in the presence of U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals at the Newark federal court.

The case documents reveal that from April to November 2022, Jefferson and his associates engaged in a criminal operation where a U.S. Postal Service employee illicitly extracted checks from the Keansburg, New Jersey, post office. These stolen checks were then deposited into various bank accounts to illicitly withdraw funds, amassing over $150,000 from victimized financial institutions.

Jefferson now faces a severe potential penalty for his crimes, with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. His sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2024.

This case was extensively investigated by several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, and local police departments from Keansburg and Hazlet, as well as the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of federal and local authorities to combat financial crimes and protect the integrity of the postal service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division represents the government in this case.