MOBILE, Ala. — Two south Mobile County men who stole mail to fuel a counterfeit check and bank fraud scheme have been sentenced to federal prison, and one of them will also serve time for illegally possessing firearms that deputies found after a high-speed chase.
U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced EW Nelson, 39, of Coden, to 69 months in prison and Thomas William Peters III, 45, of Irvington, to 40 months in prison for conspiring to commit bank fraud involving stolen mail, aggravated identity theft and illegal firearms possession. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced the sentences.
Sentences at a glance
- EW Nelson, 39, of Coden: 69 months in federal prison
- Thomas William Peters III, 45, of Irvington: 40 months in federal prison
- Restitution: $2,817.65 to victims
- Special assessments: $500 total
- Supervised release: Five years each after prison, with drug testing and treatment and credit restrictions
A scheme built on stolen mail
According to court documents, Nelson and Peters took part in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud using items stolen from the U.S. mail between March 2024 and May 2024. Both men pleaded guilty.
In their guilty pleas, the men admitted that they stole mail to obtain checks, credit cards, debit cards, money orders and victims’ personal identifying information. They used that stolen information to create counterfeit and forged financial instruments and to carry out fraudulent transactions for illegal profit.
In April 2024, Peters and Nelson worked together to carry out several fraudulent transactions at banks in Tillmans Corner and Theodore, using stolen identifying information belonging to mail theft victims. Bank surveillance video captured Peters making the unauthorized transactions.
Investigators said Nelson manufactured the counterfeit financial instruments, and Peters deposited them at various banks.
Caught on video, then a high-speed chase
On May 9, 2024, a business in Mobile reported that a white Chevrolet Equinox had been recorded on video stealing mail from the business.
Three days later, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to pull over the Equinox, which Peters was driving. Instead of stopping, Peters led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed the Equinox into a ditch in south Mobile County.
Deputies arrested Peters and seized a long list of evidence from the vehicle, including:
- Two loaded pistols
- Drug paraphernalia
- Several stolen checks
- Altered money orders
- Deposit slips and receipts
Peters admitted that he illegally possessed the guns after previously being convicted of several felonies, mostly theft- and drug-related offenses. Federal law generally prohibits people with felony convictions from possessing firearms. Peters also admitted to taking part in the fraud scheme with Nelson.
Search of Nelson’s home in Coden
On May 15, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at Nelson’s home in Coden. There, they found and seized stolen mail, driver’s licenses, debit cards, credit cards and other evidence of fraud.
Nelson admitted to agents that he stole mail and made counterfeit checks. Evidence pulled from phones and laptops belonging to Nelson and Peters confirmed their extensive involvement in mail theft and bank fraud, according to prosecutors.
Why aggravated identity theft carries extra time
Aggravated identity theft is a federal offense that applies when someone knowingly uses another person’s identifying information during and in relation to certain other felonies, such as bank fraud. It carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence that must be served in addition to, and consecutive with, the sentence for the underlying crime. That mandatory add-on is one reason identity-related fraud cases can result in lengthy federal sentences.
Life after prison
When Nelson and Peters are released, each will serve five years of supervised release. During that time, they will be subject to drug testing and treatment and to restrictions on obtaining credit, a condition designed to reduce the risk of future financial fraud. The court also ordered the men to pay $2,817.65 in restitution to victims and a total of $500 in special assessments.
There is no parole in the federal system, so the men will serve the large majority of their prison terms before beginning supervised release.
A multi-agency investigation
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile Police Department and the Jackson Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
How to protect yourself from mail theft
Mail theft remains a common starting point for check fraud and identity theft. Postal inspectors and consumer advocates recommend several steps to reduce risk:
- Collect mail promptly. Don’t leave mail sitting in your mailbox overnight, and ask a trusted neighbor or use the Postal Service’s hold mail service when traveling.
- Mail checks safely. Drop outgoing mail, especially checks, inside the post office or hand it to a letter carrier rather than leaving it in an unsecured mailbox with the flag up.
- Use a locking mailbox. Businesses and residents who receive checks or cards by mail may benefit from a secure, locking mailbox.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery. The Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery service lets you preview incoming letter mail so you can tell if something expected does not arrive.
- Monitor accounts. Review bank statements regularly and check your credit reports for accounts you don’t recognize.
- Report theft. Suspected mail theft can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or online, and to local police.