Compton native, Joivian Tjuana Hayes, a once trusted postal service supervisor, has left her office with an irredeemable crime. However, the 36-year-old who was charged with stealing and intercepting mail does not intend to contest the federal charges. Instead, she pleaded guilty on February 7.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hayes, who was a supervisor at the Costa Mesa postal office, stole 20 cheques, totaling $284,000, which she stored in her account. Federal prosecutors also add that the accused took a $3,000 money order.
Apart from diverting these funds meant to reach their owners, Hayes confiscated valuable items like dollar bills and gold coins. Following her arrest, she was slammed with one count of mail theft and one count of unlawful transfer. Other charges included possession and use of means of identification, all of which she pleaded guilty to.
NBC News reports that if found guilty, Hayes risks spending fifteen years behind bars for the leading charges, while she is likely to receive an extra five years for mail theft. The accused will appear in court on May 23.
The 36-year-old began her job at the Southern California office — Costa Mesa Post Office at the beginning of 2024. Thus, these crimes took place within a year, as Hayes was let go in December 2024.
The authorities found different valuable items inside her home. This included gold coins, a pink wallet with a U.S Treasury cheque, dollar bills, and a 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson MLB Brooklyn Dodgers baseball card.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
