Two Charged in Armed Robbery of USPS Mail Carrier in Newark

Delaware and East Orange residents face federal charges for robbery, theft of mail, and theft of a postal key.

NEWARK, N.J. - Two individuals, Eddie Tyree James White, 26, of Delaware, and James Hammond-Smith, 26, of East Orange, New Jersey, have been charged in connection with the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier in Newark, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. The charges stem from a November 2022 incident where the defendants allegedly robbed a mail carrier at gunpoint and stole a master postal key used to access mail receptacles.

White is facing multiple charges, including robbery of a mail carrier, theft of a postal key, and theft of mail. Hammond-Smith is charged with aiding in the robbery. Both men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court, where White was ordered to remain in detention, while Hammond-Smith was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

The charges relate to an incident on November 28, 2022, in which White allegedly approached a USPS mail carrier while she was inside her vehicle on a Newark route. According to court documents, White displayed a firearm in his waistband and demanded the carrier’s arrow key, a critical master key that allows access to multiple USPS mailboxes and receptacles. Fearing for her safety, the mail carrier handed over the key, and White fled the scene on foot. Investigators allege that Hammond-Smith served as White’s getaway driver during the robbery.

White later used the stolen postal key to access mailboxes and steal various pieces of mail, including checks and money orders. Authorities have not yet disclosed the amount of mail or value of items stolen during the theft.

The charges carry severe penalties. The robbery of a mail carrier and theft of a postal key each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The theft of mail charge carries a maximum of five years. All three charges also come with potential fines of $250,000, or double the financial loss or gain resulting from the crime, whichever is greater.

The investigation was conducted by special agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the leadership of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Neilson of the Philadelphia Division. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also acknowledged the assistance of the Delaware State Police in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Zuckier from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) unit in Newark.

As the charges remain accusations, both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.