CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A United States Postal Service employee appeared in federal court today on mail theft and related charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Demarkis Deon Houston, 30, of Charlotte, was arrested on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Houston is charged with mail destruction, theft of mail by a Postal Service employee, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Jeff Krafels, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General (USPS-OIG) for the Mid-Atlantic Area Field Office (MAAFO), which oversees Charlotte, and Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations in the indictment, on August 31, 2022, Houston unlawfully opened and destroyed mail entrusted to him. The indictment also alleges that on September 19, 2022, Houston removed from mail entrusted in his care a 9mm firearm, which was intended to be delivered by a carrier of the Postal Service. The indictment further alleges that on October 10, 2022, Houston possessed a stolen firearm.
Houston was released on bond following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez.
The charge of destruction of mail and theft of mail by a postal employee each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The possession of a stolen firearm offense carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The charges against Houston are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney King thanked USPS-OIG and ATF for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina H. Pack of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.