Two men have been sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison for robbing U.S. Postal Service mail carriers, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. The announcement was made alongside Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division.
The individuals sentenced are Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31, from Detroit and Terrance Tucker, 33, from Phoenix, Arizona. United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmund handed down sentences of seven years each in federal prison for the two men.
Court records indicate that Smith-Ellis and Tucker committed armed robberies against mail carriers in Taylor and Northville, Michigan during September and October 2023. They reportedly demanded “arrow keys,” which are USPS master keys that allow access to postal mailboxes for theft purposes. The suspects were apprehended shortly after one such robbery in Northville. A search of their vehicle uncovered firearms, various credit cards under different names, as well as a USPS key ring and an arrow key.
“We all know the commitment of postal carriers to deliver the mail no matter the conditions. And we are committed to protecting them as they do their job,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “These violent criminals deserve a serious sentence.”
Sean McStravick added that “the safety of postal employees is a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.” He emphasized that those who harm postal employees will be prosecuted fully and expressed gratitude towards local law enforcement partners for their assistance.
The investigation was conducted by USPIS with help from police departments in Taylor, Northville, and Livonia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan Ho represented the United States in prosecuting this case.
