United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on January 18, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against two Milwaukee men for their involvement in the murder of an on-duty United States Postal Service letter carrier on December 9, 2022, and against two Milwaukee women for providing false statements to law enforcement investigating that murder.
The indictment contains seven counts. Count One alleges that Kevin McCaa (age 36) and Charles Ducksworth Jr. (age 26) murdered or aided and abetted the murder of A.C., an employee of the United States Postal Service, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1111, 1114, and 2(a). If convicted of Count One as charged, each individual would face a mandatory life sentence.
Count Two alleges that McCaa and Ducksworth Jr. discharged a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely First-Degree Murder, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c) and 2(a). If convicted of Count Two, each individual would face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence.
Count Three alleges that on or about December 12, 2022, Shanelle McCoy (age 34) provided material false statements to law enforcement officers investigating the murder, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). The indictment alleges that McCoy falsely claimed to have been in possession of and using her vehicle for work on the day of the murder when, in fact, she had allowed McCaa to use her vehicle that day. If convicted of Count Three, McCoy faces up to five years in prison.
Count Four alleges that on or about December 27, 2022, McCaa unlawfully possessed ammunition after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). On this count, McCaa faces up to 15 years in prison.
Count Five alleges that on or about December 27, 2022, Ducksworth Jr. possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute it, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D), a charge which carries up to a five-year prison sentence.
Count Six alleges that Ducksworth Jr. possessed a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), which triggers a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence.
Finally, Count Seven alleges that on or about December 28, 2022, and again on or about January 4, 2023, Lakisha Ducksworth (age 38) provided material false statements to law enforcement agents investigating the murder, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). The indictment alleges that Lakisha Ducksworth falsely stated that her residential surveillance equipment was not functioning and that she had not sent Ducksworth Jr. video footage from that system, when, in fact, the equipment was functioning, and she had sent Ducksworth Jr. video footage from her surveillance system (three days before the murder) showing A.C. delivering mail to her residence. If convicted, Lakisha Ducksworth faces up to five years in prison.
The defendants were indicted based on an investigation by the Milwaukee Police Department, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the Wauwatosa Police Department, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Honrath and Abbey Marzick are prosecuting the case.
The public is cautioned that an indictment contains mere charges and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.