U.S. Department
of Justice
Three men charged with armed robbery conspiracy targeting U.S. Postal Service mail carriers
NORFOLK, Va. – Three men from the Hampton Roads area have been indicted and arrested on federal charges accusing them of planning and executing robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers at gunpoint and related financial fraud.
On March 19, Ricky Damion Christopher Jones, Jr., 20, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges:
|
Charge |
Statute |
|
Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) |
|
Interference with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 |
|
Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon |
18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 |
|
Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 |
|
Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud |
18 U.S.C. § 1349 |
On March 19, Samir As-sad Hurd, 23, of Chesapeake, was arrested on the following charges:
|
Charge |
Statute |
|
Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) |
|
Interference with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 |
|
Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon |
18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 |
|
Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 |
|
Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud |
18 U.S.C. § 1349 |
|
Possession of a Stolen Firearm |
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(j) and 2 |
On March 20, Manray Perry, 22, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges:
|
Charge |
Statute |
|
Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) |
|
Interference with Commerce by Robbery |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 |
|
Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon |
18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 |
|
Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 |
According to court documents, beginning at least in April 2023 through at least July 2023, Jones, Hurd, Perry, and other co-conspirators allegedly planned and executed armed robberies of postal carriers in which the co-conspirators approached U.S. Mail Carriers, brandished a firearm, and demanded their U.S. Postal Service-issued “arrow” keys. These alleged offenses occurred in Norfolk, Hampton, and James City County, Virginia.
The following co-conspirators pleaded guilty in the earlier-charged case United States v. O’Sirus Landres Charles Ford (a/k/a Siris), et al., 4:23-cr-51, and are awaiting sentencing:
On Dec. 13, 2023, Da’Twan Watson pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18.
On Dec. 15, 2023, Jayden Stukes pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17.
On Dec. 21, 2023, O'Sirus Ford pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division, made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg-James City County, and Virginia Beach Police Departments also assisted with the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-18.
Press Officer
USAVAE.Press@usdoj.gov