Evergreen Reporter

Robert Powell, a 23-year-old resident of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 79 months in federal prison with an additional three years of supervised release. Powell pleaded guilty to robbing mail following an incident on June 15, 2022.

Court documents reveal that on the morning of the incident, a United States Postal Service worker was delivering mail at an apartment complex in Avon. At approximately 10:15 a.m., Powell approached the postal worker wearing a mask and brandishing a firearm. He ordered the postal worker out of the truck, leaving her belongings behind.

Powell drove off with the truck at high speed for about a mile before meeting another individual in a Mazda 6 sedan. A second letter carrier observed something suspicious and followed them. This carrier witnessed Powell and his accomplice transferring mail and parcels from the postal truck to the Mazda. Upon noticing they were being watched, both individuals fled, abandoning the stolen vehicle as the second carrier contacted authorities.

During further investigation, U.S. Postal Inspectors discovered Powell's Facebook account under "Syko Bob," where he solicited bank account information from others as part of a card cracking fraud scheme. This fraudulent activity involves scammers using stolen or altered checks to deposit into victims' accounts for quick withdrawals.

"This criminal chose to threaten the life of a letter carrier at gunpoint," stated John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for Southern District of Indiana. He emphasized that "letter carriers should not have to live in fear" while performing their duties and warned against fraudsters exploiting financial documents.

Inspector in Charge Rodney Hopkins affirmed commitment towards USPS employee safety stating: “Thanks to hard work by our inspectors and Avon Police Department,” adding appreciation for AUSA Massa's role in ensuring justice.

The case was investigated by U.S Postal Inspection Service along with Avon Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Kelsey L Massa under supervision from Acting U.S Attorney Childress; sentencing delivered by Judge James R Sweeney II.