Tyrell DeShaun Pace, a 32-year-old Charlotte resident, was sentenced on Apr. 9 to 35 months in prison and two years of supervised release for his involvement in a financial fraud scheme using stolen checks, according to an announcement by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about mail theft and financial crimes that affect both individuals and businesses. Authorities say such schemes undermine trust in the banking system and disrupt community safety.
Court documents show that beginning in April 2022, Pace obtained stolen checks—including some taken from the U.S. Postal Service—and used text messages, phone calls, and social media to advertise them for sale. On September 2, 2022, he posted on social media: “I got the keys to the streets,” along with a photograph displaying ATM cards and stolen checks.
Pace altered or forged these checks by changing payee names and amounts before depositing them at various banks. He then quickly withdrew funds before banks could detect the fraudulent activity. The total face value of checks involved exceeded $646,600.
“Too many checks are getting stolen from the mail,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “We continue to aggressively prosecute these cases and appreciate the work our law enforcement partners are doing to put an end to this crime.”
Rodney Hopkins of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service joined Ferguson in announcing the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenny Smith prosecuted the case with assistance from USPIS investigators and substantial support from Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Pace is required to report to federal authorities upon designation of a facility by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
