South Miami Residents Victimized by Postal Carrier Theft

Postal carrier charged with stealing rent checks and cashing them under his own name

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

A South Miami woman is speaking out after police say she was one of four people victimized by a U.S. postal carrier, Jay'Ven Christian Jolly, who allegedly retrieved rent checks from apartment building drop boxes, altered them by putting his own name on them, and then cashed them at an ATM. Police say the stolen checks totaled nearly $7,000 and they believe there may be additional victims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of residents who rely on the postal service to deliver important financial documents like rent checks, and the potential for abuse of power by postal workers who have access to mailboxes and drop boxes. It raises concerns about mail theft and fraud, as well as the need for stronger security measures and oversight within the postal system.

The details

Authorities say that 31-year-old postal carrier Jay'Ven Christian Jolly retrieved rent checks from drop boxes at two separate apartment buildings, altered the checks by putting his own name on them, and then cashed them at an ATM in North Miami Beach. Police released surveillance video showing Jolly cashing the checks on January 3rd. The stolen checks totaled nearly $7,000, and police believe there may be additional victims.

  • On January 3rd, Jolly was seen on surveillance video cashing the stolen checks at an ATM in North Miami Beach.
  • The victims reportedly placed their rent checks in drop boxes at two separate apartment buildings for their landlords.

The players

Jay'Ven Christian Jolly

A 31-year-old U.S. postal carrier who has been charged with stealing rent checks from apartment building drop boxes, altering the checks by putting his own name on them, and then cashing them at an ATM.

Saphi

A South Miami resident who was one of the victims of the alleged check theft by Jolly, losing $750 when her rent check was stolen.

South Miami Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the alleged check theft by the postal carrier and urging any additional victims to come forward.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I thought the checks had simply been misplaced, and wondered if someone in the building might have intercepted the cashier's check after it cleared. But then I saw it had been cashed under the name Jau'Ven Jolly.”

— Saphi (CBS News Miami)

“I am glad they arrested him for sure and I am grateful to South Miami Police and how they communicated with me. I am glad they caught him because it could have gotten worse.”

— Saphi (CBS News Miami)

“We put our trust in those guys. I do hope that more people will come forward because this is not fair what happened. It would great to get some restitution.”

— Saphi (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

Police say they are continuing to investigate the case and urge any additional victims to come forward. The postal carrier, Jay'Ven Christian Jolly, has been suspended from his job pending the outcome of the investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger security measures and oversight within the postal system to prevent mail theft and fraud, as well as the importance of victims coming forward to ensure justice is served and prevent further crimes.