Milwaukee mail theft ring leader signals intent to plead guilty
MILWAUKEE - The so-called "don" of a crime ring accused of robbing mail carriers in Milwaukee County and washing checks signaled his intent to plead guilty to federal charges.
Wisconsin prosecutors charged 14 members of a so-called "Scamily" with racketeering a year ago. Federal prosecutors already charged eight of those men, and many of them are already serving prison time.
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‘Scamily’ accused
Between October 2022 and April 2023, mail from around 50 mailboxes was stolen from Shorewood and Milwaukee's northeast side. Court filings said the "Scamily" robbed mail carriers at gunpoint and used stolen keys to get into the mailboxes.
When police raided a home in Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood in January 2023, prosecutors said they found guns, drugs, cash and arrow keys stolen in December 2022. Boxes of blank checks, mail, acetone to remove ink from checks and 900 checks from 42 different places – made out to hundreds of people totaling more than $500,000. They also found branded "Scamily" merchandise.
Prosecutors said 22-year-old Huria Abu was the "Scamily" ring leader.
Federal charges
Federal prosecutors filed charges against eight men.
Since then, six men have pleaded out in their federal cases and are currently serving time in federal prison: Abdi Abdi, Darrion Allison, Anterian Williams, Jessie Cook, Kaperion Gatson and Abdi Baba.
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Statement from mail carrier who was robbed at gunpoint
In the federal sentencing for one of the defendants, one mail carrier wrote: "I enjoy my job as a mail carrier. To bring the American people their mail and correspondence is a great honor to uphold." But then said: "The day that I was robbed at gunpoint by these troubled souls was terrifying" and "my trust for people outside my family, and friends, is gone."
The two remaining men, Huria Abu and Hussein Haji, have change of plea hearings set for later this month. But the federal cases did not stop the state's investigation.
Man federally convicted in "Scamily" mail carrier robberies
Man federally charged in "Scamily" mail carrier robberies
State charges
Milwaukee County prosecutors charged Abu at the top and seven other men in early 2023: Abdi Abdi, Darrion Allison, Anterian Williams, Amaurie Smith, Jessie Cook, Hussein Haji, Kaperion Gatson.
Last January, prosecutors filed state racketeering charges against 14 men – including the eight who had been previously charged. The state used a rarely used statute that was originally created to take down the mob.
In the state cases, seven men have pleaded out and are serving state prison sentences. Five of them are serving time concurrent to federal sentences.
Four men's state cases are still pending, and three men – including Abu – are awaiting trial later this year.