Albuquerque man charged in armed robbery of letter carriers, bank fraud

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Cisco Casaus-Alires, 20, of Albuquerque, made his initial appearance today in federal court where he was charged with robbery of mail, mail theft, bank fraud, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, stemming from three armed robberies of USPS letter carriers in Albuquerque. Casaus-Alires will remain detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.

              According to a criminal complaint, on Nov. 7, 2020, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed a letter carrier at gunpoint in southeast Albuquerque, demanding the letter carrier’s cell phone, USPS keys and mail. On Dec. 26, 2020, in southwest Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed another letter carrier at gunpoint. Casaus-Alires allegedly demanded the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys, and then demanded that the letter carrier load parcels into Casaus-Alires’ vehicle.

              On Dec. 28, 2020, in south Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed a third letter carrier at gunpoint, demanding the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys. As Casaus-Alires allegedly took mail and parcels from the USPS vehicle, he asked the letter carrier where “the good stuff” is delivered, then fled the area. The following day, Casaus-Alires allegedly used the letter carrier’s credit card, which had been in his wallet when it was stolen, to make two purchases.

              A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Casaus-Alires faces a minimum of 21 years for his use of a firearm to commit the three robberies and up to 30 years in prison for the other crimes.

              The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.