Former Postal Employee Admits Stealing Checks from Mail, Role in Bank Fraud Scheme
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KIERRA BLOUNT, 35, formerly of Stamford and currently residing in Plymouth, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to fraud and mail theft offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Blount, at times while employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford, stole mail and obtained stolen mail for the purpose of obtaining checks that were payable to other individuals. In approximately November 2021, Blount opened a bank account using the name and social security number of an individual without the identity theft victim’s knowledge. Blount and others fraudulently changed the payee names on stolen checks to the name of the identity theft victim, forged the victim’s signature on the back of the checks, and deposited them into the bank account Blount opened. From November 2021 until the account was closed in April 2022, Blount and others deposited approximately $156,000 in fraudulent checks into the account. Some check deposits were reversed by the bank, and Blount and others used approximately $81,000 for their own purposes.
On June 20, 2023, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Blount’s Stamford residence and seized a significant amount of stolen mail and other items related to this scheme, including debit cards in the names of other individuals, checks totaling more than $285,000, and sheets of paper containing personal information of other individuals, including names, dates of birth, addresses, email addresses, and security question answers. Subsequent analysis of cell phones seized from Blount on that date revealed images of stolen checks, personal identifying information for more than 50 individuals, and communications using the Telegram app with unknown individuals involved in the scheme.
Blount was charged by indictment on March 26, 2024. She was arrested on June 17, 2024.
Blount pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of unlawful possession of stolen mail, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for December 9.
Blount is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud (CUT OFF) Task Force, which includes personnel from the Stamford, Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, West Hartford, and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.