D.C. Man Charged by Federal Indictment in Armed Robbery of U.S. Postal Worker

WASHINGTON - A three-count indictment filed May 22 charges Paris Simmons, 26, in connection with the alleged January 2026 armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service carrier, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Simmons, of the District of Columbia, is charged with postal robbery, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He is currently being held at the District's Central Detention Facility.

"An armed robbery of a postal worker is a brazen act that endangers not just the victim, but every member of the community whose mail and financial information can be exploited through a stolen arrow key," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "A single key can unlock hundreds of mailboxes along a carrier's route, giving criminals access to checks, personal data, and entire clusters of residential mail. Those who commit violence against letter carriers and attempt to profit from these crimes will be met with aggressive federal prosecution."

On Jan. 12, 2026, about 4:55 p.m., Simmons parked his vehicle near the corner of 16th and Hamlin Street, NW, exited his vehicle and waited on the sidewalk. About 4:57 p.m., a U.S. Postal Service carrier who was delivering mail in the area walked west on Hamlin Street and turned south onto 16th Street.

Simmons allegedly approached the postal carrier from behind and shoved an object into the carrier's back. According to the indictment, Simmons then threatened to shoot the carrier and demanded the carrier's postal arrow key. Simmons fled the area with the victim's arrow key.

Postal arrow keys, which provide access to mailboxes, mail collection boxes and apartment buildings, can be used in furtherance of financial crimes, such as bank fraud, check fraud, identity theft, and other criminal schemes.  

Law enforcement arrested Simmons on Jan. 18, 2026.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The matter is being prosecuted by the Federal Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

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