Metro Atlanta Man Admits to Installing Mailbox ‘Trap,’ Stealing $96K in Checks, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 5, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
BIBB COUNTY, Ga. – A Fayetteville man is facing up to 30 years in federal prison after admitting to a mail theft scheme involving a homemade “trap” device used to steal checks from a U.S. Postal Service collection box.
Keyon Ponder pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of bank fraud after investigators say he rigged a blue USPS mailbox in Macon to intercept outgoing mail and steal checks, which he then attempted to sell online.
The scheme came to light on May 29, 2024, when postal inspectors discovered a piece of cardboard lodged inside a collection box at a Macon post office. The device prevented mail from falling to the bottom, making it easy to reach in and retrieve envelopes.
Just two days later, a USPS employee spotted a black Tesla repeatedly pulling up to the same mailbox without depositing any mail. Later that day, postal inspectors observed the driver—later identified as Ponder—reaching into the box and retrieving items.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle shortly afterward. Inside, deputies found 52 pieces of stolen mail, two cellphones, and a cardboard device consistent with the one found in the mailbox.
While in custody, jail security footage showed Ponder removing an envelope from his clothing—later confirmed to contain more stolen checks.
In total, authorities say Ponder possessed 59 checks worth approximately $96,000. Investigators also uncovered more than 500 images of stolen checks stored on his phones, which were allegedly being marketed through the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
“This stolen check scheme targeted everyday citizens and local businesses, but swift action by our postal inspectors helped prevent even more damage,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of defrauding the public.”
Ponder’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 5, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
