The Post Office Worker Who Lived Large

A former mail carrier from Washington, DC, has been found guilty of a major crime. Hachikosela Muchimba, 44, was convicted by a federal jury. The charges? Mail theft and bank fraud. This wasn't a small-time operation. Muchimba was caught stealing around $1. 6 million in checks. He worked for the US Postal Service from December 2020 until his arrest in March 2023. During this time, he stole checks from the mail. These weren't just any checks. They included US Treasury checks and private party checks. Muchimba didn't just steal them; he altered and falsely endorsed them. Then, he deposited them into his own bank accounts. The total amount he stole? Just over $1. 6 million. What did he do with all that money? He lived large. Muchimba enjoyed international travel, stayed in luxury hotels, and spent time at gentlemen's clubs. He even tried to become a naturalized US citizen. But he lied to the authorities about his criminal past. This offense alone carries a hefty penalty: up to ten years in prison and possible denaturalization. At the time of his arrest, Muchimba was trying to flee to Zambia. He was caught red-handed, with no chance to escape. The sentencing is set for August 8. He faces up to 30 years for bank fraud and five years for mail theft. It's a stark reminder that crime doesn't pay. Especially when you're living large on stolen money.