NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — As if things didn’t get lost in the mail already, three men have been charged with planning and executing armed robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers across three Hampton Roads cities, officials said.
Beginning from at least April-July 2023, at least three men in their twenties and other co-conspirators allegedly planned and executed armed robberies of U.S. postal carriers. The co-conspirators demanded their U.S. Postal Service-issued “arrow” keys, a release states. The incidents allegedly took place in Norfolk, Hampton and James City County.
On March 19, 20-year-old Ricky Damion Christopher Jones, Jr., 20, of Virginia Beach and 23-year-old Samir As-sad Hurd of Chesapeake were arrested. 22-year-old Manray Perry of Virginia Beach was arrested the next day.
An attorney for Jones reached out to WAVY and stated, “Ricky Jones, Jr. grew up here and comes from a good family. These are merely accusations, and we shouldn’t rush to any judgments. I look forward to defending Ricky against these charges.”
All three were charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, assault of a federal employee with a dangerous weapon and stealing keys adopted by the Post Office.
Hurd and Jones got an additional charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and Hurd was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm.
The additional co-conspirators pleaded guilty in an earlier case and are awaiting sentencing:
On Dec. 13, 2023, Da’Twan Watson pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18.
On Dec. 15, 2023, Jayden Stukes pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17.
On Dec. 21, 2023, O’Sirus Ford pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.