WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted in an investigation that resulted in a postal worker being found guilty by a federal jury on charges of mail theft and bank fraud that illegally netted him more than $1.6 million and lying to obtain U.S. citizenship.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Special Agent in Charge Kathleen Woodson of the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General recently announced the verdict against Hachikosela Muchimba, 44, of Washington, D.C.
The jury found Muchimba guilty of conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud, theft of mail, bank fraud, engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization.
U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras detained the defendant until sentencing on Aug. 8.
According to court documents, Muchimba was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service when he undertook a scheme between December 2020 and March 2023 to steal U.S. Treasury checks and private party checks from the U.S. mail. Muchimba then deposited the checks, which he either altered or falsely endorsed, into bank accounts under his control. Muchimba altered some of the checks by removing the name of the proper payee on the checks and replacing it with his name. Bank surveillance footage captured images of him making deposits and withdrawals of the funds. Muchimba fraudently deposited more than $1.6 million in U.S. Treasury checks into various bank accounts. He used the proceeds of the stolen checks to fund a lavish lifestyle that included international travel, stays at luxury hotels, and purchases at gentlemen’s clubs.
Muchimba was also found guilty of unlawful procurement of naturalization. USCIS Washington Field Office officials testified that, during the scheme, Muchimba applied for naturalization and provided false information that he had not committed any crimes for which he had not been arrested. That offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of incarceration and possible administrative denaturalization.
The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years in prison, and for mail theft, five years in prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. Muchimba’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Borchert and Diane Lucas of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case
To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.
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