In a surprising turn of events, John and Trina Howard have both pleaded guilty to federal charges linked to stealing mobile phones from the mail. They gained access to these packages and sold the stolen goods, raking in nearly $20,000.
On Monday, the couple entered their guilty pleas, admitting a role in a conspiracy centered around the theft of articles from the mail. As per their plea agreement, it was revealed that John Travis Howard had the advantage of working in a setting where postal packages were handled.
Documents state that John was able to target packages containing cell phones, taking them without any authorization. Unfortunately, no details were provided regarding John’s workplace.
Once John snatched the phones, he would pass them on to Trina Howard, who then sold these devices both to individuals privately and at ecoATMs. The total value of the stolen phones hit a staggering $50,000.
According to the legal documents, the couple managed to earn $19,609 from selling 150 stolen phones over a decade across both Fayette and Mercer counties.
Now, both John and Trina Howard face serious consequences, with a potential maximum prison sentence of five years, along with a hefty fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is slated for January 20, 2026.
