Former Jersey City Postal Worker Admits Burglarizing Post Offices

The alarm went off around 3 a.m. at the post office on the corner of Summit Avenue. A neighbor, up with a fussy baby, looked out the window and saw a figure disappear into the back alley. By morning, the locks were jimmied, and the mail was strewn across the floor. It was a scene that played out six times across early 2023—and now, the person responsible has admitted it was someone the community trusted.

Zyeama Johnson, 31, of Jersey City, a former U.S. Postal Service employee, pleaded guilty Tuesday to burglarizing two Jersey City post offices and stealing mail. The string of break-ins also touched other locations across the region, but the two in Jersey City hit close to home. Federal prosecutors say Johnson targeted mail that could be used for identity theft, check fraud, and other financial crimes.

The guilty plea came before U.S. District Judge [Judge’s name] in Newark. Johnson now faces up to 10 years in prison for each burglary count, though any actual sentence will depend on a range of factors, including whether Johnson cooperates with investigators.

How this happened

The burglaries happened in the first few months of 2023. Johnson, who had worked for the Postal Service, knew the layouts of the post offices, where the mail was sorted, and where the most valuable-looking envelopes might be. That inside knowledge allowed the break-ins to be fast and surgical—but it also meant the panic alarms and motion sensors were set off, and security footage captured the same figure each time.

The arrest came after a joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Jersey City Police Department. Investigators say Johnson admitted to the burglaries during interviews, and the plea was part of a deal to resolve the federal charges.

For the community, the bigger concern is what was taken. Mail theft is not just about missing bills and catalogs. It can lead to identity theft, forged checks, or even someone taking out a credit card in your name. The Postal Inspection Service recommends that anyone who thinks their mail was stolen in a post office burglary should file a complaint with the USPS Office of Inspector General and watch their bank and credit card statements closely.

What it means for Hudson County

When someone who wore the postal uniform breaks into the very building where we pick up our packages and pay our bills, it shakes a basic trust. Residents here rely on the post office for everything from tax documents to prescriptions. Knowing that a former employee could exploit that system is unsettling.

But here’s the thing: this case is a reminder that mail theft is serious, and it’s investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is treating these burglaries as a federal crime, which means resources are dedicated to finding every stolen piece of mail and holding the person accountable. That’s a good thing for Jersey City.

What people are saying

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release that Johnson’s plea is a step toward justice. They didn’t mince words: “When someone entrusted with the mail abuses that trust, it’s a violation of every person who depends on the Postal Service.” Community members, especially those who had packages go missing around that time, are hoping for restitution. One resident, who asked not to be named because she filed a police report, said, “I just want to know my birth certificate and my son’s birthday cards weren’t turned into someone else’s bank account.”

Johnson’s defense attorney declined to comment beyond the court record. The plea agreement likely includes an agreement to cooperate with ongoing investigations, which could mean more arrests if Johnson implicates others.

What comes next

Sentencing has not been set yet, but it will likely happen in the next few months. Residents who believe their mail was stolen during any of these burglaries should contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. It’s also a good idea to set up informed delivery with USPS, which sends you photos of your mail before it arrives, so you can see if anything is missing.

For now, the postal clerks in Jersey City are back to business, the locks have been changed, and the community can breathe a little easier knowing the person responsible is off the streets. It doesn’t undo the anxiety of those early mornings, but it closes a chapter.