A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to participating in a mail theft conspiracy using a stolen U.S. Postal Service master key, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
Mailboxes targeted across Western New York
Antonio Jones, Jr., 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to steal mail and possession of a USPS key, both federal offenses that carry a maximum combined sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, Jones and co-conspirators Eric Michael Robinson and Lamor Runell Bolden carried out the theft on October 2, 2024, around 1:00 a.m. in Cheektowaga, NY.
Jones used a stolen postal key to open blue collection mailboxes outside a mail facility while Bolden stood watch. The two then fled in a car driven by Robinson. Law enforcement stopped the vehicle shortly afterward and discovered multiple pieces of stolen and tampered mail inside.
Part of a larger theft scheme
Jones admitted that the group used the stolen USPS key to access mailboxes at multiple locations throughout the Western District of New York. Both Robinson and Bolden have been previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing.
Agencies involved in the investigation
The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under Special Agent-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward (Boston Division), and the Cheektowaga Police Department, led by Chief Brian Coons.
Sentencing set for October
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra in Buffalo…