Two men charged with armed robberies of postal workers

ATLANTA - Tavion Lashawn Williams and Justin Andrew Sams have been indicted in connection with armed robberies of postal workers in metro-Atlanta.

“Our communities rely on a safe and secure mail system made possible by the dedication of U.S. Postal Service employees and letter carriers who labor tirelessly for our benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.  “Our office is committed to collaborating closely with our federal and local partners to identify and prosecute those who threaten violence against members of the Postal Service.”

“The safety and security of Postal Service employees and customers is core to the mission of the Postal Inspection Service,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Atlanta Division. “We are grateful to continue to work in close partnership with our local law enforcement partners as we investigate individuals involved in violent criminal activity against our employees.”

“The Atlanta Police Department is committed to getting criminals off our streets and out of our neighborhoods,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “Letter carriers provide a vital service, and no one should feel unsafe when they are carrying out the duties of their job. The APD is proud to have played a role in the arrest of two criminals who impacted the well-being of the Postal Service employees who were simply doing their job.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Tavion Lashawn Williams allegedly demanded the keys of a U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) letter carrier while the employee was delivering mail in Clayton County, Georgia, on March 1, 2023.  Williams allegedly pointed a gun at the letter carrier when the carrier hesitated. After seizing the carrier’s key, Williams fled but was soon arrested.

Approximately seven months later, on September 30, 2023, Justin Andrew Sams allegedly assaulted a USPS letter carrier in southwest Atlanta.  While brandishing a firearm, Sams allegedly ordered the letter carrier to hand over his postal uniform, keys, cellular telephone, and wallet.  Sams also allegedly stole the letter carrier’s government-issued credit card used to purchase fuel for the letter carrier’s mail truck. 

The Atlanta Police Department responded to the scene, succeeded in identifying Sams, and ultimately recovered the letter carrier’s telephone, wallet, fuel card, and uniform. Investigators also discovered a semiautomatic pistol during a search of Sams’s residence. 

On December 6, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tavion Lashawn Williams, 21, of Jonesboro, Georgia with theft of a Postal Service key, armed postal robbery, and brandishing a firearm.

On December 12, 2023, another federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Justin Andrew Sams, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia with armed postal robbery, brandishing a firearm, and theft of government property.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictments only contain charges.  The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

These cases are being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Clayton County Police Department, and Atlanta Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie E. Gabay-Smith and Theodore S. Hertzberg are prosecuting the cases.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.