Selma man gets prison time for theft and destruction of USPS box

Published 1:16 pm Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Selma man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of possession of stolen mail and destroying a U.S. Postal Service collection box at the Millbrook post office. 

On Sept. 23, a federal judge sentenced 21-year-old J’Kwon Tyshi Williams to 30 months in prison. Following his prison term, Williams will serve two years of supervised release.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 and $1,180 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.

Email newsletter signup

According to court records and William’s plea agreement, the Millbrook Police Department responded to a report of individuals attempting to break into a blue U.S. Postal Service collection box located outside the Millbrook Post Office during the early morning hours of Nov. 9, 2023.

Witnesses observed a car parked in front of the box with its hood raised and several people gathered around. When a patrol officer approached, the group jumped into the vehicle and sped away.

The driver, later identified as Williams, led officers on a high-speed chase, often exceeding 120 miles per hour and swerving into oncoming lanes. The pursuit continued from Elmore County to Dallas County, ending when Williams crashed into a light pole. Williams and his passengers then fled on foot.

Inside the vehicle, officers allegedly discovered items commonly known as burglary tools, including a reciprocating saw, tire iron, and pliers. In addition, officers found Williams’s wallet, numerous stolen checks, other stolen mail, check-writing paper, an ammunition magazine for a handgun, ammunition and multiple ATM deposit receipts.

Although Williams and other individuals failed to breach the Millbrook collection box, inspectors found it heavily damaged and determined it had to be replaced to protect the security of the mail. The replacement cost was $1,180.

On June 5, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of stolen mail and destruction of a letter box.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Millbrook Police Department investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorney Paul Markovits prosecuted.