Seven individuals have been charged in connection with a scheme involving the cashing of more than $3 million in stolen U.S. Treasury checks at a Hartford post office, according to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in New Haven. The indictment, issued on October 28, 2025, charges Michael Atkinson, Roland McTaggart, Sharif Djibo, Romario Rose, Jashawn Atkinson, and Adrian Olivero with offenses related to the theft and cashing of government checks. Rashelle Sailor is also named as an alleged co-conspirator and was arrested alongside the others on November 6, 2025. Olivero remains at large.
Authorities allege that between February and July 2025, the defendants obtained stolen U.S. Treasury checks and cashed them at the Blue Hills Post Office on Woodland Street in Hartford. Sailor, employed as a postal clerk at this location, allegedly facilitated these transactions by ensuring sufficient cash was available through prior money order purchases and also cashed some stolen checks herself. Over this period, more than 1,300 stolen checks totaling over $3.1 million were cashed; Sailor is accused of being involved in cashing over 1,200 of those checks worth more than $2.7 million.
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan stated: “As alleged, these co-conspirators collectively stole more than $3 million from the government in a relatively short period of time. The fact that the scheme involved, and would not have been successful without, the participation of at least one corrupt government employee, is particularly disturbing. I thank our partner law enforcement agencies for shutting down this operation and bringing these individuals to justice. The investigation to determine those responsible for the theft of the U.S. Treasury Checks, and others involved in the scheme, is ongoing.”
Matthew Modafferi of the U.S Postal Service Office of Inspector General commented: “The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) will vigorously investigate those who use their position to commit crimes against the American public and the Postal Service… This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG, our law enforcement partners, and the District of Connecticut U.S Attorney’s Office to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity.”
Ricky J. Patel from Homeland Security Investigations said: “Today’s announcement shines a harsh light on an alleged public corruption scheme in which a federal employee partnered with individuals to steal from the hardworking communities they were entrusted to serve… HSI New York will work tirelessly with our partners to dismantle these criminal networks and bring every perpetrator to justice.”
Michael Carpenter from TIGTA added: “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who attempt to exploit U.S Treasury refund checks meant for hard working taxpayers for their own private gain… We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate federal laws are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
Ketty Larco-Ward from U.S Postal Inspection Service said: “These defendants sought to enrich themselves through an elaborate scheme involving the cashing of stolen U.S. Treasury checks at a Hartford Post Office… We are grateful to all the agencies involved in bringing this group to justice.”
Each defendant faces charges including conspiracy (up to five years imprisonment), theft of government property (up to ten years per count), and aggravated identity theft (mandatory two-year consecutive sentence). Prosecutors emphasize that all charges are allegations; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation continues under multiple agencies including U.S Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S Postal Inspection Service, TIGTA, and Hartford Police Department.
