Chelsea Man Sentenced for Mail Theft, Check Fraud Scheme

Josman Romero-Delgado was part of the 'Mission Hill Gang' that stole checks from USPS boxes and fraudulently deposited them.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shredded envelope or torn check stub, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the crime scene without depicting any actual violence or victims.A recent wave of mail theft and check fraud schemes has exposed vulnerabilities in the postal system and banking industry, raising concerns about the impact on victims.Chelsea Today

A 24-year-old Chelsea man was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release for his role in a scheme to steal checks from USPS collection boxes, alter them, and fraudulently deposit them into bank accounts he and his co-conspirators controlled. Josman Romero-Delgado was one of nine members of the 'Mission Hill Gang' charged in 2024 for the multi-year fraud operation.

Why it matters

Mail theft and check fraud are serious crimes that can have significant financial and personal impacts on victims. This case highlights the coordinated efforts of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute organized criminal groups targeting the postal system and banking institutions.

The details

Between June 2023 and February 2024, Romero-Delgado and eight co-conspirators stole checks from USPS collection boxes, used chemicals to wash away the handwritten ink, and rewrote them as payable to themselves or other bank accounts they controlled. They then fraudulently deposited the checks and withdrew the money from ATMs or via money orders.

  • In August 2024, the nine men known as the 'Mission Hill Gang' were charged for their roles in the scheme.
  • In November 2025, Romero-Delgado pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to steal and possess stolen mail.
  • On April 12, 2026, Romero-Delgado was sentenced to time served of about four months, along with three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $39,157 in restitution.

The players

Josman Romero-Delgado

A 24-year-old Chelsea resident who was one of nine members of the 'Mission Hill Gang' charged for their roles in the mail theft and check fraud scheme.

Mission Hill Gang

A group of nine individuals charged in 2024 for their involvement in the multi-year scheme to steal checks from USPS collection boxes, alter them, and fraudulently deposit them.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Josman Romero-Delgado out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat organized criminal groups targeting the postal system and banking institutions through mail theft and check fraud schemes, which can have significant financial and personal impacts on victims.