Postal worker stole $36,000 of checks from mail and forged them, feds say. She’s wanted

A U.S. Postal Service worker is accused of stealing checks from the mail as part of a scheme to deposit more than $36,000 into a bank account she controlled in Connecticut.

The law enforcement arm of USPS is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of Kierra Blount, the agency said June 5.

Blount, 34, was indicted on charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and unlawful possession of stolen mail on March 26, and the indictment was unsealed June 5, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Connecticut.

In November 2021, Blount opened an account at Bank of America using someone else’s name and social security number without that person’s knowledge, according to the indictment.

Using her access as a USPS employee, Blount stole mail and took checks that were made out to other people, officials said.

McClatchy News reached out to Bank of America for comment on June 7 and was awaiting a response.

Blount and other accused members of the fraud scheme changed the name of the checks’ recipient to the person listed on the Bank of America account and forged that person’s signature on the checks, according to federal officials.

They used mobile apps and ATMs to deposit eight checks worth a total of $36,269 into the account from November 2021 to April 2022, records show.

Then they withdrew the funds from ATMs in two states, transferred the money using Zelle and made purchases at restaurants, gas stations, retail stores and other places in Connecticut, New York and North Carolina, officials said.

Blount is also wanted by the Stamford Police Department. Authorities accused her of failing to appear in court on charges including risk of injury to a minor and other gun-related offenses.

Blount is from Stamford, just across the border from New York City.

This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 12:21 PM with the headline "Postal worker stole $36,000 of checks from mail and forged them, feds say. She’s wanted."