Residents of New Orleans and Westwego Charged with Theft of Stolen Mail and Unlawful Possession of a Postal Key

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - KELAN PERRY GENNINGS, age 21, and ERIC WILLIAMS, age 20, were charged on December 8, 2022 in a two-count indictment with theft or receipt of stolen mail matter, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708 and unlawful possession of a postal key, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1704.

In Count 1 of the indictment, GENNINGS and WILLIAMS are charged with stealing U.S. Mail matter from a post office letter box located at a Covington Post Office. If convicted both men face up to five years imprisonment. In Count 2, GENNINGS is charged with unlawfully possessing a key adopted by the U.S. Postal Service with the intent to unlawfully and improperly use on an authorized receptacle for the deposit of mail matter. If convicted of Count 2, GENNINGS faces up to 10 years imprisonment. Each count carries additional penalties of a period of up to three (3) years supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.