Illinois Man Sentenced in Carbondale Mail and Bank Fraud Conspiracy Using Stolen Arrow Key

BENTON, Ill. - A federal judge sentenced an Illinois man to 18 months' imprisonment for his involvement in a mail theft and bank fraud scheme targeted at collection boxes in Carbondale.

Brian R. Nevils, 25, of South Holland, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft.

Charged co-conspirators include Quentin S. Abrams, 25, of Charleston, Illinois and Isaiah C. Jordan, 30, of Urbana, Illinois. Abrams was sentenced to time served in April after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft.

Jordan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced at the federal courthouse in Benton at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 1.

"Criminals who steal checks from collection boxes and commit bank fraud threaten the integrity of our mailing system, and I commend the Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts to gain justice for the victims," said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.

According to court documents, the defendants used a stolen master key to gain access to mail collection boxes throughout Carbondale. The conspiracy involved altering the payees and amounts of stolen checks, depositing the checks into bank accounts of co-conspirators and then transferring the funds into their own accounts or of their associates.

"This sentencing clearly illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions," stated Acting Inspector in Charge, John Jackman, who leads the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "The defendant clearly used illegal activities to defraud local citizens, postal customers, and financial institutions. The USPIS is proud to work with our local and federal partners to bring those who perpetrate these crimes to justice."

Nevils, Jordan and Abrams stole and altered more than 100 checks sent by more than 50 individuals through USPS from March through July 2020. The total estimated loss exceeds $423,000.

"This case highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local and federal agencies in investigating complex crimes that affect our community. The collaboration between the Carbondale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was key in bringing these offenders to justice. Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our city, protecting both our residents and our institutions from fraudulent schemes," said Carbondale Police Chief and Interim City Manager Stan Reno.

Demarius L. Flakes, 30, of Blue Island, Illinois, was also charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of mail theft, six counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was recently apprehended in Chicago.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service jointly investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman is prosecuting the case.