A former U.S. Postal Service supervisor from Compton has pleaded guilty to stealing over $300,000 in checks, gold, and collectible currency while on the job. Joivian Tjuana Hayes, 36, admitted to her crimes during a court appearance on Friday, where she faced charges of theft of mail matter by a Postal Service employee and unlawful transfer, possession, and use of means of identification, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Hayes, who worked at the Costa Mesa Post Office, engaged in her criminal activities from early 2022 until her arrest in December 2022. According to her plea agreement, she systematically pilfered checks from the mail and fraudulently deposited them into her bank account by forging the names of the payees. Notably, one of the checks she stole was valued at more than $114,000.
Surveillance footage captured Hayes depositing the stolen checks at ATMs in various locations, including Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Compton, often while wearing a blue shirt emblazoned with the USPS logo. In total, she deposited approximately 20 checks worth around $284,000, alongside $3,000 in postal money orders that she also took.
A search of Hayes’ home by federal agents revealed a significant cache of stolen items, including gold coins and collectible currencies. Among the treasures found were 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, a $5 gold piece was discovered, marked with 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 faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, highlighting ongoing issues of theft and fraud within postal services.