A Hudson County, New Jersey, woman was arrested and charged with six counts of burglary of U.S. Post Offices.
The arrest was made on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and the accused, Zyeama Johnson, 29, of Jersey City, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor in Newark federal court.
Johnson made news in 2022 when she applied for a job at the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office while she was wanted by police for Jersey City traffic offenses and fraud in Pennsylvania. Johnson was caught when called in for what she thought was an interview but instead was taken into custody.
The charges against Johnson stem from a series of burglaries that occurred between January 10 and February 7, 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Documents filed in the case and statements made in court revealed that Johnson had previously been employed at a post office in Hudson County but was terminated from her position.
Despite her termination, Johnson allegedly broke into the post office on six occasions and stole mail before fleeing the scene in her vehicle.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office outlined the timeline of the burglaries, noting that Johnson targeted the post office multiple times in January and February 2023.
However, her criminal activities came to an end on February 7, 2023, when she was apprehended by law enforcement as she exited a second post office location.
Each count of burglary carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Johnson was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond following her initial court appearance.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, and the Jersey City Police Department for their roles in the investigation leading to Johnson’s arrest and charges.
Johnson had previously faced legal issues, including a fugitive warrant from Monroe County, PA, and multiple outstanding traffic warrants in Jersey City.
Authorities noted that Johnson’s recent termination from the postal service had prompted federal authorities to investigate her activities, ultimately resulting in her arrest for the post office burglaries.
Despite the charges, Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Zuckier, who is representing the government in this case.