INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Three employees with the United States Postal Service are facing felony charges following allegations they stole and trafficked cell phones and a Super Bowl ring from a distribution center on Indianapolis’ east side, according to court records.
Authorities say the investigation began after postal inspectors received a tip about missing cell phones being stolen from the facility and later pawned according to Fox-59.
Investigation begins at Brookville Road facility
The case centers on the USPS distribution center located on Brookville Road in Indianapolis.
Postal inspectors initiated an investigation after reports surfaced that multiple cell phones were being taken from the facility and sold through pawn channels.
During the investigation, officials say they discovered additional missing items, including a Super Bowl ring later recovered inside the facility.
Super Bowl ring found being worn by employee
According to court documents, inspectors found one suspect wearing the ring while working at the distribution center.
Investigators said the ring was originally tied to the San Francisco 49ers, which received diamond-studded championship rings after winning the 1995 Super Bowl.
Court records indicate the ring had been mistakenly handled within the facility and was not sent to a designated recovery center in Atlanta as required. Instead, investigators allege it came into the possession of employee Shavez Walker.
Walker told investigators he found the ring on a forklift and reported it to a supervisor. However, investigators said surveillance video did not support that account.
The ring was later appraised at approximately $10,000.
Additional theft allegations involving cell phones
Two other employees, identified in court records as Marcus Milbrooks and Doneeka Terry, are accused of stealing and selling multiple cell phones taken from the facility.
Investigators also believe Walker may have pawned several devices through cash-for-phone kiosks, though he has not been formally charged in connection with those transactions.
Union raises workplace concerns
The allegations have renewed concerns from local union leadership about staffing and oversight at the facility.
Gregory Jones, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 130, criticized hiring and oversight practices at the distribution center.
Jones said he has raised concerns previously about workplace safety and staffing after other incidents at the same location.
Charges and next steps
All three employees face Level 6 felony charges for theft and official misconduct, which carry a potential sentence of up to 2.5 years in prison if convicted.
The case remains under investigation, and additional court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
1 comment
From a very early age, i’ve had a distrust for the USPS, sending/receiving anything of value via envelope.
Now, boxed & packaged items, i’ve always gotten lucky, with only an open box here and there. I used to sell/buy on eBay in the late 90’s & 00’s via USPS, but those items always made it thru. …maybe, because those included a packing slip??
But i swear, if it looks like it’s a Celebratory Card, or and envelope with something in it, you’re running a 50/50 chance of it makin’ it thru.
..i eventually had to tell my branch of family, from the southern side of the state to wait and hand deliver birthday cards during holiday visits.
Why?
Well, Cards that used to come with Money or Gift cards, began arriving without anything at all! Empty cards, Open envelopes; they claimed it was the mechanical sorters. 🤔 Funny how the sorters would allow a Birthday Card with a cheque, to remain in the card, but an opened envelope with a $20, or gift card, would seemingly come up missing?
The last straw, was a Birthday card for my youngest. It arrived in an oversized postal envelope, with the clear front. A bright pastel blue Birthday Envelope nestled inside with an Apologetic Insert. When i picked it up, i noticed the .. lack of weight, then further noticed the slit across the top of the envelope, that was it. No Card, no gift Card.. just an empty envelope.
Why did they even bother?
Compile this with Indy’s East side.. yeah, say no more.
I had a Grand Father, proud to have retired from the Celina Post Office as their Postmaster. He would talk about the importance of his job and how hard he worked to climb the ranks. He worked until they forced him to retire, or he’d have continued under penalty!
Now-a-day, i’m convinced there are some Postal Workers that do not share that view. Likely they are looking for an early retirement plan…
…while i rant, i should take this opportunity to give a ‘shout out’ to my Daughter, who is likely on foot, ..in the streets of New Haven, delivering mail.
heheh 🤗