Indy postal worker admits to stealing checks in $34M fraud scheme; 5 charged

A former USPS letter carrier from Indianapolis has pled guilty to arranging a $34 million bank fraud scheme using checks stolen from mail deliveries.

Destinee Ruffin is among five defendants who have pled guilty in the federal fraud case. The defendants include:

Destinee Ruffin, 29, of Indianapolis

Charge s: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; theft of mail

Sentence : Hearing scheduled for Oct. 27

Eric Hollis, 23, of Indianapolis

Charge : Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence : 1 year and 1 day in prison; 3 years of supervised release

Restitution : $117,275.30

Kendall Thompson, 24, of Indianapolis

Charge: Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence: 4 months in prison; 3 years of supervised release

Restitution: $9,320.05

John Young, 24, of Indianapolis

Charge : Attempt and conspiracy to commit bank fraud; 3 counts of bank fraud

Sentence : Hearing has yet to be scheduled

Tony McMullen, 36, of Calumet Park, Ill.

Charge : Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Sentence : 2 years and 9 months in prison; 3 years of supervised release

Restitution : $121,270.30

Court filings show that Ruffin worked as a letter carrier at the Bacon Station Post Office in Indianapolis between November 2020 and May 2022. During this time, she allegedly took checks from both incoming and outgoing mail.

Ruffin then sold the checks to her co-conspirators, who altered them and deposited them in their bank accounts. Investigators discovered the plan after mailing marked Treasury checks and tracking them back to Ruffin’s delivery route.

In April 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Ruffin’s residence and discovered “thousands” of stolen checks worth more than $20 million. Ruffin allegedly stole these checks but had not yet sold them.

In total, detectives believe Ruffin sold Young about $12 million in stolen checks. Meanwhile, McMullen is accused of purchasing more than $235,000 in stolen checks, with Hollis and Thompson purportedly acting as “mid-level” conspirators who deposited the funds.

Investigators estimate Ruffin’s fraud scheme touched approximately 6,500 individuals. If you suspect you were a victim, especially if you live near the Bacon Station Post Office, please visit our page. Due to the enormous number of victims, it is impractical to notify each one personally,” a news statement stated. ” If you have any questions about this case, please contact Victim Witness Coordinator Stephanie Lloyd at 317-229-2406.