Dezhon McCrae, a former Salem County resident, has been sentenced to over nine years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of financial crimes and violent conspiracies. The 25-year-old, formerly of Penns Grove, received a 111-month prison sentence on March 18, 2025, from U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. McCrae had previously pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of stolen mail, possession of a stolen postal key, and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
From May 2018 to February 2020, McCrae participated in a “card cracking” scheme, where stolen checks were used to create counterfeit versions that were deposited into bank accounts opened or controlled by recruited individuals. Once the checks were deposited, the funds were quickly withdrawn, resulting in over $274,000 in losses. McCrae’s direct involvement led to more than $10,000 in losses. Six co-defendants have already been sentenced, while three others are awaiting sentencing.
Even after being charged, McCrae engaged in a second, similar scheme between May and July 2022, which led to an additional $14,000 in losses.
While on pretrial release in Georgia, McCrae came under investigation after a shooting incident at his residence in August 2023. A subsequent search revealed stolen mail, a stolen U.S. postal key, and evidence on his cellphone linking him to further fraud. McCrae also fabricated a New Jersey driver’s license using a real individual’s identity and a conspirator’s photo. The license was later used in an attempt to cash a stolen check.
McCrae’s cellphone also contained evidence connecting him to two violent robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service letter carriers in Cumberland County, New Jersey. On June 13, 2023, a carrier in Fairfield Township was attacked and had a postal mailbox key stolen. A second robbery attempt occurred on July 3, 2023, in Vineland, where a masked suspect used bear spray to assault a letter carrier but failed to steal the key.
Along with his 111-month prison sentence, McCrae was ordered to pay $24,411.89 in restitution and will serve five years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies, including the Paulk County Sheriff’s Department in Georgia and the New Jersey State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Johns is prosecuting the case.
