WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A federal investigation into a South Florida mail theft operation has led to the arrest of Sajay Cole, a U.S. Postal Service employee, and Alicia Murdock, the mother of his 1-year-old daughter. Authorities say the pair stole hundreds of pieces of mail containing credit cards, resulting in more than $600,000 in losses.
Cole, who works at the West Palm Beach Mail Distribution Center, faces one felony count of theft of mail matter by a USPS employee. Murdock was also booked on mail theft charges. Both made their first appearance in federal court Monday. Cole is being held without bond ahead of a pre-trial detention hearing, while Murdock’s bond was set at $150,000.
The investigation began in 2023 when a janitor at the distribution center noticed opened envelopes in a men’s bathroom trash can. The envelopes, meant to contain Capital One credit cards, were empty. Postal Service Inspector General agents began monitoring the facility after complaints of undelivered credit cards from Palm Beach and Martin counties continued to surface.
Over the course of the investigation, covert surveillance revealed Cole allegedly used a forklift to move pallets of mail into a semi-trailer. Another employee would carry a cooler while Cole removed mail from the trailer, often stealing large quantities. Stolen credit cards were then reportedly shipped to various states and quickly used.
In a key operation Sunday evening, agents observed Cole approach a dark sedan driven by Murdock outside the distribution center. While Murdock claimed she was dropping off Cole’s lunch, agents found 352 pieces of mail inside the vehicle.
If convicted, both Cole and Murdock face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Local business owners in West Palm Beach expressed concern after learning of the thefts, fearing their personal information may have been compromised.
