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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that WAYNE C. WALKER, age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on February 11, 2022 for Unlawful Possession and Use of a United States Postal Service “arrow” key used by Postal Service employees to access authorized mail receptacles in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1704 and Unlawful Possession of approximately 80 pieces of stolen United States Mail that had been deposited into authorized mail receptacles in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708.

According to the indictment, on January 26, 2022, WALKER was arrested while in possession of the United States Postal Service “arrow” key and the stolen mail. If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment on the count of unlawful possession of the United States Postal Service mail key and a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment on the count of possession of stolen mail, both counts to be followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri and G. Dall Kammer are in charge of the prosecution.