HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against numerous members and associates of the “SaySlide” criminal organization, from the Ogontz and Oak Lane neighborhoods in Philadelphia that used violence to perpetrate a theft and fraud scheme targeting United States Postal Service drop boxes. These charges come after a month-long Grand Jury investigation.
The “SaySlide” criminal enterprise revolved around the theft, often by force, of master keys, or arrow keys, for blue USPS drop boxes in Philadelphia and its nearby suburbs, such as Willow Grove and Blue Bell. The defendants then emptied USPS boxes, taking checks from envelopes, which were altered to bring payouts to “SaySlide” members.
The Office of Attorney General recently charged 15 “SaySlide” members and their associates — including alleged ring-leader William Logan, 28 — with a variety of offenses, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery.
The defendants are in custody, with arraignments ongoing.
“This ruthless organization is alleged to have used violence and intimidation tactics to protect their money-maker — the coordinated thefts of master keys to postal service drop boxes,” Attorney General Henry said. “The impact of this lucrative scheme was far-reaching, with a total of six-figure losses to people using the mail to pay bills or send money to friends or family. I commend the Grand Jurors for their time and dedication, as well as my team for conducting a comprehensive and complex investigation.”
Charged are:
William Logan; Khyzeem Brown, Jamal Carson, Jahan Stevenson, Zaahir Beckham, Mynaya Stewart, Zahmir Beckham, TaeJohn Bradley, Abdul Anderson, Yahsir Keaton, Jahmir Martin, Saadiq Barrett, Javon Wilson, Jabreel Martin, and Qahmire Goolsby.
U.S. Marshals and several Office of Attorney General sections assisted in the investigation.
According to charges filed this week, while the organization revolved around the postal theft and check fraud scheme, they also allegedly engaged in violent crime. The defendants were charged for their respective roles in attempted murders of rival gang members and an individual who “disrespected” the “SaySlide” group; the robbery of a postal worker; the staged robbery of a postal worker (a girlfriend of a “SaySlide” member); and the shooting of a “SaySlide” affiliated individual who had fallen out of favor with the organization.
The organization also recruited individuals, via social media, to be payees on the altered checks and to open bank accounts into which the checks could be deposited and cashed. “SaySlide” gang members, however, saw the majority of the proceeds, which were allegedly spent on luxury items and firearms.
Eventually, the organization progressed to the creation of counterfeit checks, in addition to those they stole from drop boxes.
The defendants will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Organized Crime Section. All charges are accusations. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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