NEWARK, N.J.–A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty here for bribing U.S. Postal Service carriers to steal credit cards from the mail.
Olagoke Araromi entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to bribery of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.
According to court documents, Araromi and Moussa Dagno, 24, of Harrison, N.J., recruited at least six mail carriers and employees to steal credit cards from the mail in exchange for cash bribes, usually $100 per stolen card.
Authorities said once Araromi had possession of the stolen credit cards and activated them, he and Dagno used them to purchase high-end electronics and clothing at retail stores throughout New Jersey.
In February 2018, law enforcement seized six laptops and a smartphone from the Harrison residence shared by Araromi and Dagno at that time, all purchased with the stolen credit cards, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Postmen Plead Guilty
Several postal service employees who accepted bribes from Araromi and Dagno have already pleaded guilty to bribery charges, including former mail carriers Zenobia Gilmer, Ayesha Troztz and Kyanne Costley, who had delivery routes in Mt. Arlington, East Orange and Elizabeth, N.J., as well as Jennel Williams, who formerly worked as a clerk in the Newark Main Post Office, the news release stated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said all four admitted to stealing credit cards from the mail and delivering them to Araromi or Dagno in exchange for payments; all are awaiting sentencing. Another mail carrier, Jacquan Miller, has been charged by complaint in connection with alleged role in the scheme.
Earlier this month, Dagno pleaded guilty to the same charges as Araromi, and he is awaiting sentencing.