Hachikosela Muchimba, a former U.S. Postal Service letter carrier and resident of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 66 months in federal prison after being convicted for his role in a mail theft and bank fraud scheme that netted $1.6 million. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
A federal jury found Muchimba guilty on March 14, 2025, of conspiracy to commit theft of mail 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.
“In addition to the 66-year prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered Muchimbato to pay $651,068.35 in restitution to victims and to forfeit his ill-gotten gains of $1,273,403.36. Muchimba also will be subject to deportation.”
Muchimba was originally from the Republic of Zambia and became a naturalized American citizen on May 26, 2022. Authorities said the fraudulent activities occurred between December 2020 and March 2023 while he was working as a letter carrier based in Friendship Heights. On his citizenship application, he falsely claimed he had not committed any criminal activity despite actively conducting mail theft and bank fraud at that time. As a result, the court revoked his citizenship.
Joining the announcement was Special Agent in Charge Kathleen Woodson of the U.S. Postal Service-Office of the Inspector General.
According to court documents, Muchimba stole both U.S. Treasury checks and private party checks from the mail intended for customers along more than 30 different routes in the District. He deposited these checks into accounts under his control—sometimes while wearing his postal uniform—and bank surveillance footage documented him making deposits and withdrawals.
Authorities stated that over $1.6 million worth of stolen U.S. Treasury checks were deposited into Muchimba’s accounts, with funds used for international travel, luxury hotel stays, and spending $100,000 at gentlemen’s clubs.
Muchimba was arrested on September 20, 2023 at Dulles International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Zambia with $2,000 cash in his luggage.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Service-Office of the Inspector General, Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorneys John Borchert and Diane Lucas from the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section.
