California Man Sentenced for Using a Debit Card Stolen in Central Nebraska
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Joseph Weaver, age 42, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced on August 29, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for use of an unauthorized access device. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Weaver to 10 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Weaver will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release.
On September 19, 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) began investigating an attempted burglary at the Henderson, Nebraska, post office at 1049 N. Main Street. Employees reported that the damage suggested someone unsuccessfully attempted gain entry to the locked retail lobby door using a crowbar or a similar tool. On September 25, 2023, the Henderson Postmaster received a call from a deputy who reported finding mail in a ditch. The mail included mail from rural mailboxes in Henderson, Nebraska.
On September 28, 2023, the USPIS began investigating an attempted burglary at the Fairmont, Nebraska, post office located at 455 6th Avenue. Investigators observed that approximately thirteen post office boxes had been pried open. Similar pry-bar markings were observed on the locked retail lobby door, but the door had not been opened. The post office reported similar box break-ins the weekend prior. Fairmont Police reviewed surveillance camera footage and observed a silver SUV stop at the post office for approximately twenty minutes.
On September 29, 2023, a victim reported to the Fairmont Police Department that multiple fraudulent charges were posted to his account. The police identified the suspect as Joseph Weaver and identified the suspect vehicle as a silver Toyota SUV bearing California license plates.
On October 16, 2023, the USPIS began investigating a reported attempted burglary at the Trumbull, Nebraska, post office located at 125 Main Street. Employees reported break-ins of approximately nine post office boxes and the appearance of an attempt to access the main lobby door.
On October 18, 2023, the Geneva, Nebraska, post office reported break-ins of three post office boxes, two of which were unused. On the same date, several local law enforcement agencies coordinated the execution of a search warrant at 304 West Ash in Sutton, Nebraska, where Weaver resided. Officers located numerous items of stolen mail, including mail addressed to victims with post office boxes in Geneva, Henderson, and Trumbull. Officers contacted Weaver at the residence and arrested him for possession of methamphetamine and obstruction.
On October 19, 2023, a postal inspector interviewed the Weaver at the Clay County Jail. Weaver initially stated that he received the mail from a guy in a Walmart parking lot but later admitted he lied. Weaver admitted to breaking into post office boxes in Fairmont, Geneva, and Trumbull. Weaver admitted to looking for checks and other financial instruments. Weaver was also in possession of a counterfeit arrow key (a master key to postal locks). Weaver admitted to making purchases with the Fairmont victim’s stolen debit card. The aggregate value of the items obtained by the Weaver using the victim’s stolen debit card was close to $3,000.00. Weaver stated he also took a stolen check to a bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, but left when the clerk indicated he was going to verify the check.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.