A former Tallahassee postal worker and his alleged accomplice have been federally indicted on multiple charges related to mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft, according to court records.
Jaheed Anthony Lloyd Williams, 25, faces an extensive list of charges, including conspiracy to commit mail theft, unlawful possession of a mail key, theft of mail, bank fraud conspiracy, 15 counts of bank fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
His co-defendant, Taija Avion Smith, 26, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail theft, theft of a mail key, bank fraud conspiracy, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Williams and Smith appeared in federal court in Tallahassee for their arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick. Their jury trial is scheduled for February 26 and will be held in Tallahassee before Chief U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor.
If convicted, the defendants face significant prison time. Prosecutors outlined the potential penalties for each charge, including:
Conspiracy to commit mail theft: up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release
Unlawful possession or theft of a mail key: up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release
Theft of mail: up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release
Bank fraud conspiracy: up to 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release
Bank fraud: up to 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release
Aggravated identity theft: a mandatory consecutive two-year prison term and one year of supervised release
The case was jointly investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin M. Keen.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
