ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison in connection with mail theft in Fayette County, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said it received “numerous reports of mail thefts throughout the county” in the months leading up to July 2023.
During an undercover operation on July 30, 2023, investigators reportedly became aware of a suspicious vehicle attempting to tamper with a mailbox at the Fayetteville Post Office.
After searching the vehicle, officers discovered a box marked “United States Postal Service” containing stolen mail. Investigators found that the mail “consisted of personal correspondence, medical records, tax records and bill payments valued at approximately $49,000,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Christopher Smith, a passenger in the vehicle, was charged with 52 counts of identity fraud and one count of illegal possession of mail.
The sheriff’s office said Smith recently accepted a blind plea deal – a guilty plea with no sentence – that resulted in a 40-year sentence, including 15 years in prison and 25 years probation.
The driver of the vehicle, John Turner, is awaiting trial. The sheriff’s office did not provide details on the charges against Turner.
“The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office wants to send a clear message that mail theft will not be tolerated in our community,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to mail theft to local authorities.”
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