Another day, another trading card scandal. A former USPS worker has admitted to stealing valuable sports memorabilia, as well as Pokémon trading cards. Shelby Dozier, 34, pled guilty to theft of mail by a postal service employee.
Dozier worked in a New Jersey post office from August 2022 to December 2022. Soon after, packages meant for a Clifton auction house were diverted and went missing. From September 2022 to December 2022, it’s estimated that Dozier took at least ten packages meant for the auction house, which contained anything from rare cards to memorabilia. These stolen packages were then resold by Dozier.
Officials noticed that Dozier seemed to always be working whenever the packages went missing, and other employees had seen empty boxes disposed in the locker room. Sometime in December 2022, Dozier stopped going to work, further raising suspicions of his illegal activity.
Investigators used phone and sales records to uncover the scheme, as Dozier had text messages with a prospective buyer. Dozier has agreed to pay $108,692.49 as restitution, with a potential to go to jail for up to five years and a maximum fine of $250,000 — or twice the earnings of selling the cards, whichever is higher.
It seems like this activity has become far more common in recent years, whether it’s targeting rare cards or just regular packages. Just a few weeks ago, a postal worker stole a credit card and used it for personal reasons. Another worker pleaded guilty to stealing gift cards. With the rise in collecting TCG cards, it may be safer to have a contingency plan in place for any rare cards you may acquire.
The full list of stolen items can be viewed below, courtesy of USA Today:
- Two Michael Jordan cards and one Mickey Mantle Card (stolen between Sept. 30-Oct. 1; together worth $4,500)
- At least 10 graded sports cards, including multiple Michael Jordan cards (stolen between Oct. 27-Oct. 29; prices of cards ranged from $1,725-$3,525)
- Multiple graded sports cards of current NBA players and Pokémon cards (stolen between Nov. 7-Nov. 9; prices of cards ranged from $3,000-$5,000)
- 29 graded sports cards of several current and former NBA players, including Shaquille O’Neal (stolen between Nov. 7-Nov. 9; together worth $1,352)
- Authenticated autographed photos of Rafael Nadal and Hank Greenberg (stolen between Nov. 7-Nov. 9; worth $500)
- Multiple graded sports cards of current NBA players (stolen between Nov. 9-Nov. 10; worth $5,000)
- Multiple graded sports cards, including an autographed Willie Mays card (stolen between Nov. 9-Nov. 11; worth $2,500)
- Seventeen signed sports jerseys (stolen between Nov. 9-Nov. 11; worth $4,450)
- Approximately 25 graded sports cards, including multiple Michael Jordan cards (stolen between Nov. 12-Nov. 13; prices of cards ranged from $6,500-$8,000)
- Multiple Connor McDavid cards and other NHL sports cards (stolen between Nov. 14-Nov. 16; worth $7,500)
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Written by Roberto Diaz
Embark on a gaming odyssey with a passionate player deeply immersed in pop culture. Roberto not only conquers virtual realms but also dominates the pop music scene, turning life into a harmonious adventure filled with gaming triumphs and cultural insights.
