A former U.S. Postal Service supervisor from Compton, Joivian Tjuana Hayes, has pleaded guilty to stealing over $300,000 worth of mail, including checks and valuable collectibles, while working at the Costa Mesa Post Office. The 36-year-old was charged with one count of theft of mail matter by a Postal Service employee and another count related to the unlawful transfer and possession of means of identification, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Hayes’s criminal activities spanned from early last year until her arrest in December. During this period, she exploited her position to steal checks from the mail and deposited them into her own bank account by forging the names of the payees. Among the checks she pilfered was one valued at over $114,000. Surveillance footage captured her making these deposits at various ATMs located in Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Compton, often while wearing her USPS uniform.
In total, Hayes deposited around 20 stolen checks worth approximately $284,000, along with $3,000 in postal money orders. A search of her home conducted by federal agents revealed a significant cache of stolen items, including gold coins and collectible currency. Notable finds included a 1917 $1 bill with an estimated value of $675, a 1914 $100 bill valued at $1,500, and a $10 bill from the Confederate States of America. Additionally, agents discovered a $5 gold piece that had a note indicating a value of $1,600.
The total estimated value of the stolen items ranges between $304,000 and $324,288. Hayes is set to be sentenced on May 23, where she could face up to 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service’s office of inspector general, highlighting ongoing concerns about internal theft within postal services.