A former postal worker has admitted to stealing checks from the mail and participating in a bank fraud scheme, according to federal authorities. Kierra Blount, 35, who previously lived in Stamford and now resides in Plymouth, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford.
Prosecutors stated that Blount stole mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford and obtained additional stolen mail to access checks made out to other people. In November 2021, she opened a bank account using another person’s name and social security number without their knowledge. Blount and others altered the payee names on stolen checks to match the identity theft victim, forged signatures on those checks, and deposited them into the fraudulent account.
Between November 2021 and April 2022, about $156,000 in fraudulent checks were deposited into this account. Although some deposits were reversed by the bank, Blount and her associates used approximately $81,000 for personal use.
On June 20, 2023, investigators searched Blount’s Stamford residence with a court order. They seized large amounts of stolen mail along with items connected to the scheme: debit cards issued under various names; checks totaling more than $285,000; and documents containing personal information such as names, birth dates, addresses, email addresses, and answers to security questions. Analysis of cell phones taken during the search revealed images of stolen checks and personal data for over 50 individuals as well as communications via Telegram with unknown participants in the scheme.
Blount was indicted on March 26, 2024 and arrested on June 17 of that year.
She pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud—which carries up to 30 years in prison—and one count of unlawful possession of stolen mail—which carries up to five years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for December 9.
Blount is currently free on a $75,000 bond until sentencing.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force with support from local police departments including Stamford, Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, West Hartford and Bridgeport. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel is prosecuting.
“David X. Sullivan announced that KIERRA BLOUNT…pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford.”
