Two people were charged with the armed robbery of a United States Postal Service mail carrier on Thursday.
Eddie Tyree James White, 26, of Delaware, and James Hammond-Smith, 26, of East Orange, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of robbery of a mail carrier. White was additionally charged with theft of a postal key and theft of mail.
Both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court. Hammond-Smith was released on $100,000 unsecured bond and White was detained.
According to documents filed in this case, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, and statements made in court, White approached a mail carrier while she was in her USPS vehicle in Newark on Nov. 28, 2022.
The bandit displayed a firearm in his waistband and demanded the mail carrier’s arrow key, a master key used by USPS to access various mail receptacles.
The mail carrier gave the key to White, who fled on foot.
Hammond-Smith drove White to the robbery. White subsequently used the postal key to access mail receptacles to steal mail, including checks and money orders.
The robbery of a mail carrier charge and postal key theft charge each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The theft of mail charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. All three charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Neilson, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation. He also thanked the Delaware State Police.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Zuckier of the OCDETF unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.