Former USPS Worker Stole Over $100,000 in Pokemon and Sports Cards, Pleads Guilty

Mail theft is nothing new, but one former USPS employee took it to another level.

He pocketed $100,000+ worth of Pokemon cards, sports memorabilia, and other collectibles while on the job. 

Shelby Dozier, a 34-year-old former postal sorting clerk, has pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal service employee, a charge stemming from at least 10 stolen packages during his time at a USPS facility in Clifton, New Jersey.

Between September and December 2022, Dozier intercepted high-value parcels intended for a consignment auction house that specializes in rare trading cards and memorabilia. 

Among the stolen items were premium basketball and baseball trading cards featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays, as well as signed jerseys and autographed photos of star athletes, including Rafael Nadal and Reggie Miller.

Investigators uncovered the scheme when co-workers noticed discarded empty parcels in the men’s locker room, triggering an internal probe.

Law enforcement pieced together evidence through phone and employment records, ultimately linking Dozier to sales of the stolen goods. His iCloud account contained transaction history confirming that he had sold the stolen memorabilia.

As part of his plea agreement, Dozier must pay $108,692.92 in restitution to the victims. He faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 22.

The rise in high-profile trading card thefts highlights the growing market value of rare collectibles, fueled by influencers and celebrities like Logan Paul, who have driven up demand for Pokémon and sports cards.

This case is just one in a series of thefts targeting valuable trading cards, with another incident last year involving a $150,000 heist of Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards from a game store.

Incidents like this expose the risks of shipping valuable items through the mail.

While most parcels reach their destination without issue, theft within the postal system remains a real concern.