A former supervisor at the United States Postal Service has acknowledged her involvement in a significant mail theft scheme, admitting to stealing checks, gold coins, and collectible currency valued at over $300,000. Joivian Tjuana Hayes, 36, from Compton, pleaded guilty to charges of mail theft and identity fraud. The case highlights the serious consequences of exploiting a position of trust for personal gain. Hayes' actions spanned nearly a year, during which she embezzled substantial amounts of money through fraudulent means. Authorities uncovered evidence of her criminal activities, including surveillance footage and valuable items found during a search of her residence.

Exploiting Trust: A Year of Fraudulent Activities

The misconduct began in early 2022 when Hayes, working as a supervisor at the Costa Mesa Post Office, started intercepting checks intended for delivery. She forged signatures on these documents and deposited them into her bank accounts. One particularly large check amounted to more than $114,000. Over the course of several months, Hayes managed to siphon off a staggering sum of approximately $284,000 through this method. Additionally, she appropriated postal money orders worth around $3,000. Surveillance footage captured Hayes using ATMs in various locations to deposit the stolen checks, sometimes while wearing a uniform that bore the USPS logo.

Federal investigators meticulously pieced together the evidence against Hayes. They discovered that she had been systematically targeting mail containing valuable items. The fraudulent deposits were made at multiple ATMs across different cities, including Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Compton. Hayes took advantage of her access to sensitive mail materials, betraying the trust placed in her by both the postal service and the public. Her actions not only violated professional ethics but also caused significant financial harm to individuals whose checks were intercepted and misused.

Uncovering a Trove of Stolen Collectibles

During a search of Hayes' residence, federal agents uncovered an extensive collection of rare and valuable items. Among the discoveries were gold coins and historical currencies with considerable monetary value. These items included a $1 bill from 1917 estimated to be worth $675, a $100 bill from 1914 valued at $1,500, and a $10 Confederate States of America bill. Agents also found a $5 gold piece noted to be worth $1,600. The total value of the stolen goods was assessed between $304,000 and $324,288, underscoring the scale of Hayes' criminal activities.

The investigation revealed that Hayes had amassed a collection of unique and historically significant items, all obtained through illicit means. The discovery of these artifacts highlighted the extent of her greed and the lengths to which she went to enrich herself. Hayes now faces severe legal repercussions, including a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in positions of trust within public institutions.

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