OAKLAND — One of three people suspected of robbing a U.S. Postal Service worker during his lunch break in April 2018 has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, court records show.
Nay’Shawn Smith, who prosecutors allege pointed “what appeared to be a firearm” at the mailman and stole “numerous” packages, was sentenced last week in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White. Smith’s attorney had asked for a four-year term, arguing that his client had battled drug addiction and homelessness during an extremely difficult childhood.
The April 2018 robbery occurred at a parking lot in Fremont, and was caught on a surveillance camera, prosecutors said in court records. Prosecutors say Smith used an object that resembled a gun, but that they cannot prove that it wasn’t a replica firearm.
Smith — who was charged by his born-name, Shindozjanae Smith — was arrested and charged last September, along with co-defendant Tyra D. Mabon. The defendants, both 26, took numerous packages from the mail carrier, while Smith pointed what the victim believed to be a gun at the victim.