Florida Man Confesses to Stealing Thousands of Dollars in Checks from Churches in Missouri & Illinois

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri, a Florida man confessed in court on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, to the theft of checks from mailboxes belonging to churches in Missouri and Illinois.

Lourdes Mario Anton, 20, has pleaded guilty to one count of mail theft, as stated in the release. Anton’s admission was made on October 3, 2024, following his arrest. This came after video footage captured him and a juvenile accomplice stealing from a mailbox belonging to a church in Missouri.

In the footage, the police noticed the white Toyota minivan that Anton was driving and promptly pulled it over. Anton willingly allowed the officers to search the minivan, where they discovered a tool that the duo had used for mail theft. Additionally, they found a receipt for a FedEx package that Anton had addressed to himself in Hollywood, Florida. This evidence led to Anton’s admission of guilt.

The package was intercepted by investigators who found 27 checks inside, totaling $14,584. This money was intended for religious organizations in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois, including a church in St. Peters, Missouri.

Anton is set to be sentenced on March 21, 2025. If found guilty of mail theft, he could face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the St. Charles County Police Department worked together on the investigations for this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is the prosecutor handling the case.

The Office of Public Affairs has not provided any additional details at this time. We eagerly await further updates from them.

Reference Article

Jan McDonald – Managing Partner Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jan McDonald relocated to the Demopolis area in 1991. Over the years, she has built an extensive career as a journalist and freelance writer, contributing her talents to various news outlets across Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Alabama. With her wealth of experience in journalism, Jan has honed her skills in reporting, writing, and storytelling, making her a versatile and respected voice in the field. As Managing Partner of The Watchman, Jan plays a crucial role in overseeing and producing editorial content for the publication. Her responsibilities include curating stories, ensuring high-quality journalism, and managing the day-to-day operations of the editorial team. Jan's dedication to maintaining the integrity of The Watchman's reporting, combined with her deep connection to the community, allows her to guide the publication with both passion and expertise.
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