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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...Gusty Thunderstorms with Small Hail and Cold Air Funnel Clouds
through Early Tonight...

Gusty thunderstorms capable of producing cold air funnel clouds
and small hail are forecast through early tonight. These cold air
funnels are developing underneath thunderstorms that are moving
across the area. Underneath these showers...spinning columns of
air that look like tornadoes may continue to develop. These
funnels usually are very brief and rarely touch the ground. If
these funnels do touch down...they most likely will not cause
damage to life or property.

Cold air funnels are due to very cool air aloft...warm moist air
near the ground...and are usually in association with a strong
area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere. Due to
little or no wind shear...they are usually weak and very brief.

Illinois man receives 18 months in prison in ongoing Carbondale mail investigation

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handcuffs

BENTON, Ill. -- An Illinois man received 18 months in prison from a federal judge for his reported work in an ongoing mail theft and bank fraud scheme based in Carbondale. 

According to the United State's Attorney's Office, Brian R. Nevils, 25, of South Holland, IL, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Mail Theft.

This news comes after a previous suspect, Quentin S. Abrams, 25, of Charleston, IL., received and served time in April for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and One Count of Mail Theft.

The Attorney's Office says another suspect, Isaiah C. Jordan, 30, of Urbana, IL., will appear at the federal courthouse in Benton on Oct. 1 for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, one count of Bank Fraud and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. 

Court Documents reportedly revealed the suspects obtained a master key to access mail boxes throughout Carbondale. They then allegedly altered payees and amounts of stolen checks, deposited the checks into bank accounts of others involved in the crime and transferred the money into their own accounts. 

"Criminals who steal checks from collection boxes and commit bank fraud threaten the integrity of our mailing system, and I commend the Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their efforts to gain justice for the victims," said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. 

The Department of Justice says the suspects stole over 100 checks from March through July 2020 that estimated a total of over $423,000.

A fourth suspect was apprehended in Chicago. Demarius L. Flakes, 30, of Blue Island, IL, reportedly received charges of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, three counts of Mail Theft, six counts of Bank Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. 

“This sentencing clearly illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions,� stated Acting Inspector in Charge, John Jackman, who leads the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The defendant clearly used illegal activities to defraud local citizens, postal customers, and financial institutions. The USPIS is proud to work with our local and federal partners to bring those who perpetrate these crimes to justice.�

The case was investigated by the Carbondale Police Department and US Postal Service. 

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