Charlotte Man Sentenced to Prison for Using U.S. Postal Service Arrow Keys to Steal $963,000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tidarian Williams, 32, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison and two years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a USPS arrow key and theft of mail matter, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Williams pleaded guilty to these offenses on October 24, 2025.

"Stealing mail causes financial strain and stress on a large number of victims and my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting it," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "Williams not only stole mail from all over the city, he fled, hit a federal officer, and nearly struck an innocent pedestrian. His brazen conduct and disregard for the law put lives at risk just so he could enrich himself by stealing mail."

"This sentencing holds Williams accountable for his actions and sends a clear message that mail theft and the unlawful use of USPS arrow keys will not be tolerated," said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division for the Postal Inspection Service. "The Postal Inspection Service remains committed to protecting the safety and security of our personnel and the mail, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who victimize postal customers. "

According to court documents, between October 2024 and May 2025, Williams used arrow keys, which are master keys used by the U.S. Postal Service, to unlawfully access cluster mailboxes and steal mail in and around Charlotte. Williams specifically sought after pieces of mail that contained checks, credit cards, or other financial instruments, which he then used to enrich himself or sell to others. During his crime spree, Williams became increasingly brazen, as he transitioned from breaking into outdoor mailboxes at night to walking into businesses and residential buildings in the middle of the day and breaking into cluster mailboxes located in the lobbies.

U.S. v. Williams - Video Stills Capturing the Defendant Stealing Mail

Court documents show that Williams' thefts victimized businesses and residents across the Charlotte area, and at least one property targeted by Williams hired a guard to physically monitor its mailroom. The total loss associated with Williams's scheme is approximately $963,000 and involved at least 10 victims.

Court documents show that Williams used stolen credit cards and other financial instruments to purchase luxury goods, jewelry, and other items. In addition, Williams sold or offered to sell to other individuals the "keys to the city," meaning arrow keys, as well as stolen checks.

U.S. v. Williams - Williams's Custom Diamond Necklace in the Shape of a U.S. Postal Service Arrow Key (Top); Williams Posing with Custom Arrow Key Necklace (Middle) and Outside a Post Office (Bottom)

According to court records, in April 2025, law enforcement responded to a mail theft in progress. When postal inspectors arrived on the scene, they observed Williams driving away in his vehicle. The postal inspectors blocked Williams's vehicle and attempted to stop him, but when a postal inspector exited his car to approach the defendant, Williams fled by driving on the sidewalk, striking the postal inspector with his vehicle and causing him to sustain minor injuries. Williams then drove recklessly at high rate of speed and nearly struck a pedestrian.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Office of the Inspector General, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kinlaw and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution.

To report suspected mail theft, tips, or other mail-related crimes, go to https://mailtheft.uspis.gov/Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455. Call 911 to report an active crime in progress.