MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man convicted in a series of armed robberies targeting U.S. postal carriers has been sentenced to 42 years in federal prison, while his mother received a prison sentence for her role in a related bank fraud conspiracy, federal officials announced.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced 46-year-old Lakita Carroll on May 8, 2026, to three and a half years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Earlier, on April 15, 2026, the judge sentenced Carroll’s son, 25-year-old Marshun Lewis, to 42 years in federal prison after he was convicted in connection with multiple armed robberies of postal carriers across Memphis between August 2023 and December 2024.
Prosecutors said Lewis targeted mail carriers to steal keys used to open blue U.S. Postal Service collection boxes throughout the city.
Investigators said Lewis then used the stolen keys to access mailboxes and steal checks and money orders, later altering payee information and depositing the stolen funds into third-party bank accounts.
Authorities said surveillance video linked Lewis’ vehicle to several robbery scenes.
During a search of his home, inspectors reportedly recovered stolen mail and a stolen postal keychain. Investigators also used text messages from Lewis’ phone to connect him to the robberies and additional co-conspirators involved in the fraud operation.
Officials said the total amount of stolen checks and money orders exceeded $940,000.
According to prosecutors, Carroll assisted the scheme by depositing stolen checks and money orders into her personal bank account. She later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
Following a four-day trial, Lewis was convicted on multiple counts, including robbery, brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and possession of stolen mail.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” prosecutors noted in announcing the sentence.
D. Michael Dunavant said the case reflected the consequences of generational criminal activity, while the United States Postal Inspection Service emphasized its commitment to protecting postal employees and safeguarding public trust in the mail system.
The investigation was conducted by the Postal Inspection Service and the Memphis Police Department.
