NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – A Chesapeake man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday in connection with the armed robberies of several USPS mail carriers.
Court documents reveal that 22-year-old O’Sirus Charles Landres Ford was involved in the social media group “Three Keys” which conspired to steal arrow keys from USPS mail carriers. Arrow keys are used by mail carriers to unlock blue collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers and apartment mailbox panels.
According to officials, Ford was specifically warned by fellow group members while discussing how to commit the robberies to “proceed carefully,” as the crime is considered federal and carries a more severe penalty.
On May 8, 2023, members of Three Keys rented a car through May 9 in to commit arrow key robberies. Ford was able to recruit two other individuals, including a minor, in order to target a mail carrier on Ballentine Boulevard.
After turning down Davis Street, Ford and the minor exited the vehicle while the other co-conspirator drove further down the road. The minor then brandished a firearm and stole the arrow key and USPS ID card from the carrier, police said.
The following day, Ford recruited 21-year-old Jayden Stukes to assist in a robbery in Newport News, as the other two co-conspirators had prior commitments.
Stukes informed Ford that he would be bringing 24-year-old Da’Twan Watson along. After failing to gain access to the rental car, Stukes arranged for a friend to drive the group. Ford, Stukes and Watson were armed with handguns and wore masks to cover their faces.
Once arriving in Hampton, Ford and Watson exited the vehicle to search for a mail carrier on foot while the other two individuals remained in the car.
Ford and Watson then approached a mail carrier on Galax Street. Shortly afterwards, Ford brandished his firearm and said, “give me your keys or I’m gonna shoot you.” He repeated the command again, and then began counting down from five.
Ford and Watson fled the scene after the victim gave up his arrow key, meeting up with the other two individuals at an apartment complex in the area.
According to court documents, Ford pleaded guilty on Dec. 21, 2023 to one count of conspiring to interfere with commerce by robber and one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Watson pleaded guilty on Dec. 13, 2023 to interfering with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting. He was sentenced to four years in prison on April 18.
Stukes pleaded guilty on Dec. 15, 2023 to interfering with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting. He was sentenced to four years in prison on April 17.
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