A former USPS worker allegedly stole around $1.6 million in checks, but what did he spend it all on? A federal jury found 44-year-old Hachikosela Muchimba guilty with charges of mail theft and bank fraud. This is according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, as per the New York Post.
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USPS Worker Allegedly Stole $1.6 Million To Fund "Lavish Lifestyle"
The DOJ in a statement revealed that Muchimba had been stealing checks "between December 2020 and March 2023." For over two years he worked for the USPS and stole "US Treasury checks and private party checks." He would then deposit the checks "which he either altered and/or falsely endorsed" into bank accounts he controlled.
Federal prosecutors detailed the luxuries that Muchimba purchased with his nearly $2 million. They allege these checks funded a "lavish lifestyle that included international travel, stays at luxury hotels, and purchases at gentlemen's clubs."
It's a surprise that Muchimba allegedly stole such an egregious amount of money without the authorities catching him sooner. He got away with purchasing such lavish items and services for just over two years.
The DOJ spotted the suspect "making deposits and withdrawals of the funds" on bank surveillance footage. When the authorities arrested Muchimba in September 2023, he was attempting to flee to Zambia, but they caught him.
The specific charges they put on Muchimba were a handful. Muchimba was guilty of conspiracy to commit theft of mail and bank fraud, theft of mail, bank fraud, engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization.
Just for the bank fraud charge, Muchimba could face up to 30 years in prison. He could also serve five years for the mail theft charge. On top of that, Muchimba allegedly provided false information to immigration services to become a US citizen. He told then that "he had not committed any crimes for which he had not been arrested."
For that offense alone, they can charge him with a maximum of 10 years in prison "and possible administrative denaturalization." The jury scheduled the sentencing for Muchimba on August 8, 2025.
