ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Rayshawn Boyce, 26, of Albuquerque, made an initial appearance in federal court today facing charges of robbery of a postal employee, theft or receipt of stolen or reproduced keys or locks, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Boyce will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 22.
According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 18 a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was gathering mail from his vehicle on Domingo Road NE in Albuquerque when Boyce and another person allegedly grabbed the carrier by the back of the shirt, pulled him from the vehicle and threw him onto the ground. Boyce and his accomplice allegedly pointed handguns at the carrier’s head and demanded his postal keys. The carrier complied and Boyce and his accomplice allegedly fled the area.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Boyce faces up to 10 years in prison for stolen keys, up to 10 years in prison for robbing a postal employee and a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Letitia Simms is prosecuting the case.