Traffic Stop Leads Police to Nearly 400 Pieces of Stolen Mail
A Texas traffic stop allegedly uncovered a mail theft operation after police found nearly 400 pieces of stolen mail and parcels, counterfeit postal keys, drugs, and a loaded firearm inside a vehicle.
Hollywood Park police stopped the vehicle on the morning of Sept. 15 in the 1000 block of N. Loop 1604 E. after officers noticed it was displaying stolen license plates, according to the Hollywood Park Police Department.
Officers detained 37-year-old Sean Christopher Martinez and 33-year-old Skylar Cheri Carter during the traffic stop. A search of the vehicle uncovered stolen mail and parcels connected to dozens of addresses, along with counterfeit postal master keys, burglary tools, and vehicle diagnostic theft devices.
Police also found narcotics and a loaded firearm inside the vehicle.
More Evidence
Martinez and Carter were taken into custody and booked into the Bexar County Detention Center on multiple felony charges, including mail theft, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful conduct involving mail receptacle keys or locks, and drug possession.
Court records cited by KSAT list Martinez’s bond at $87,500 and Carter’s bond at $40,000
Detectives found even more evidence after following leads developed during the traffic stop.
Police searched Martinez’s residence and a local hotel room associated with the pair. Those searches uncovered an AR-15-style rifle, rifle components, a handgun kit, and ammunition.
Investigators found more stolen mail, checks, credit cards, and identity documents, along with equipment used to manufacture forged identification documents. Additional counterfeit postal box keys and methamphetamine were also found, according to police.
The Case Is Still Open
The case remains an active, multi-jurisdictional investigation. Detectives are continuing to process the evidence and coordinate with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
Those agencies are the United States Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service South Texas Cyber Fraud Task Force.
Identifying Victims
Detectives are still cataloging the recovered identity documents, credit cards, checks, and mail. Investigators say they will contact affected victims directly as they identify them, according to the police department.
Since there is substantial evidence and concerns about additional fraud, police said they cannot confirm over the phone whether a specific person, address, or piece of mail is connected to the investigation.
The department advised anyone concerned that their mail or personal information may have been compromised to consider placing a free credit freeze or fraud alert, to monitor financial accounts and credit reports, and to avoid mailing checks.
Martinez and Carter are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
