Former Postal Worker Arrested for Stealing $1.7M in Checks, Attempting to Flee to Zambia
A former postal worker from Washington, D.C. has been arrested while trying to flee to Zambia after allegedly stealing approximately $1.7 million in checks from residents in the area. Hachikosela Muchimba, aged 43, has been charged with mail theft and bank fraud, according to charging documents unsealed this week.
During the period between October 2021 and March 2023, Muchimba, while working for the U.S. Postal Service, allegedly stole checks belonging to Washington, D.C. residents and deposited them into his personal bank accounts. He is believed to have stolen U.S. Treasury checks from mailboxes and altered them with his name and address to facilitate depositing them.
Prosecutors claim that Muchimba deposited a total of 98 checks into seven different accounts, with 90 of the checks being U.S. Treasury checks. Bank surveillance cameras reportedly captured him withdrawing funds from ATMs. The fraudulent deposits amount to a staggering $1,697,909.52.
Muchimba, who had been employed as a mail carrier since 2020, was placed on off-duty status in March. On March 29, 2023, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at his residence, recovering an ATM receipt that indicated a deposit of $414,173.53 from a U.S. Treasury check.
However, it was during the investigation that federal prosecutors discovered Muchimba had booked an international flight using a credit card in someone else’s name. This led them to request an arrest warrant. The former postal worker was arrested at Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, just moments before he was about to board a flight to Zambia. At the time of his arrest, Muchimba was found to be in possession of $2,000 in cash and a recently issued Zambian passport.
Muchimba now faces serious charges, including a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for bank fraud and five years in prison for mail theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The arrest of the former postal worker has brought attention to the issue of mail theft, raising concerns among the residents of Washington, D.C. who have fallen victim to this crime. Investigations into the case are ongoing, and authorities are determined to bring those responsible for mail theft to justice, protecting the integrity of the postal service and ensuring the safety of residents’ mail and personal information.
It serves as a reminder for individuals to remain cautious and vigilant when it comes to their mail. Taking steps such as regularly checking mailboxes, promptly reporting any suspicious activity or missing checks to the appropriate authorities, and considering additional security measures can help safeguard against potential theft.
As the case unfolds, the court will determine the appropriate punishment for Hachikosela Muchimba, providing justice for the victims and establishing a precedent for future cases of mail theft.
