D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Postal Worker in Mail Theft Scheme Spanning the Region

WASHINGTON - Ibrahim De La Cruz, 26, of the District, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service maintenance worker from whom he took postal master keys that he used to steal high volumes of mail from luxury apartment buildings across the District, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"The armed robbery of a federal employee is an attack on the integrity of our public institutions and the safety of those who serve this community," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "After stealing USPS master keys, De La Cruz used those keys to gain unauthorized access to mailboxes throughout the region, stealing mail, packages, and financial information belonging to residents. His conduct was calculated, far-reaching, and deeply harmful to victims whose mail he targeted. Today's plea ensures he will be held fully accountable for the damage he inflicted on residents throughout the District and beyond."

De La Cruz, aka "Black Migo," pleaded guilty before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan to one count of robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Judge Sooknanan scheduled sentencing for December 8.

According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2024, De La Cruz approached a U.S. Postal Service employee who was performing maintenance on a USPS collection box in Northwest Washington and demanded the employee's USPS Arrow Keys. The employee complied, and De La Cruz fled with the keys.

Using the stolen keys, De La Cruz carried out a series of high-volume mail thefts from residential buildings across the region. Investigators tied him to the crimes through surveillance footage, Instagram posts, and cell phone tracking. His targets included locations on the 1400 block of R Street NW; the outdoor mail area of 17^th Street NW; and mailboxes located at 2419 Ontario Road NW

De La Cruz also used a credit card stolen from the mail to make purchases for his own benefit.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Akhtar.

Surveillance cameras captured images of De La Cruz with stolen mail on several occasions.