TOLEDO - Michael Bush, 22, of Toledo, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States, stealing mail collection box keys, and mail theft. The violations took place while a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was on a delivery route in July 2023.

According to court documents, an individual later identified as Bush, approached the carrier while they sat in a parked USPS truck on Ryewyck Drive in Toledo, Ohio. He grabbed keys for both the mail truck and the collection box and robbed the carrier at gunpoint of their personal cellphone and a USPS parcel scanner. A witness who observed the incident provided a description of the suspect to investigators. The Toledo Police Department (TPD) recovered surveillance video of the robbery and identified the vehicle involved in the theft as being registered to Michael Bush.

A large, black garbage bag containing U.S. Mail was recovered during a federal search warrant executed by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the TPD at Bush's residence. Nearly 200 mail theft victims were identified. Inspectors also recovered several firearms and rifle magazines. The vehicle identified in the surveillance video was later recovered at a separate location where Bush's aunt resides. Additionally, images recovered on Bush's cellphone show him posing with large stacks of U.S. currency and firearms.

Update-Nov. 18, 2024:

Bush was sentenced on Nov. 18, 2024, to 66 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary for robbery of mail, money or other property of the United States, stealing mail collection box keys, and mail theft. Restitution amount to be determined at a later date.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank H. Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was a collaborative effort conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Toledo Police Department.

About the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

USPIS is the law enforcement branch of the United States Postal Service. To report mail theft or other crimes committed through, or towards, the United States Postal Service, call the USPIS at 1-877-876-2455 or visit uspis.gov/report. For more information about combatting mail theft visit uspis.gov/project-safe-delivery.