A Starke couple was indicted last week in connection with an alleged mail theft scheme that spanned multiple months.
Roger B. Handberg, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, announced the return of an indictment charging 28-year-old Connor Lee Austin and 26-year-old Maranda Ann Stewart with the theft of mail.
If convicted, Austin and Stewart would each face up to five years in federal prison along with payment of restitution to the victims in the case.
According to court documents and public records, Austin and Stewart allegedly stole First Class mail over multiple months in 2022.
On April 19, 2023, Austin appeared in federal court pursuant to a writ that brought him to Jacksonville from Florida State Prison, where he is serving a 36-month prison sentence for grand theft, grand theft from a dwelling, and burglary. The court ordered him detained pending his upcoming trial in June 2023.
Stewart appeared in federal court on April 17, 2023, and she was released on bond. Her trial is also set for June 2023.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.