Oakland Man Sentenced to 5 Years for San Francisco Mail Heist

Joseph McBee pleaded guilty to federal robbery charge after 2023 incident involving stolen cars and over 500 pieces of mail.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Joseph Michael McBee, an Oakland resident, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for a 2023 San Francisco mail robbery that prosecutors say involved stolen cars and over 500 pieces of mail. McBee pleaded guilty to one federal robbery count last fall and was sentenced this week by a U.S. District Judge.

Why it matters

Mail theft and robberies of postal workers have become a growing concern in the Bay Area, with federal and local authorities cracking down on these types of crimes that can impact residents waiting on important deliveries like paychecks and prescriptions.

The details

According to prosecutors, on October 10, 2023, McBee and two accomplices drove into San Francisco looking for a mail carrier to rob. They allegedly pushed the victim to the ground, stole his wallet, and fled with over 500 pieces of mail. Investigators say the group had already stolen a Toyota Camry and a Kia Soul prior to the mail heist, and McBee later used the victim's credit card at an Oakland gas station.

  • On October 10, 2023, the mail robbery took place.
  • On October 31, 2023, McBee was arrested after an 'extensive and dangerous' pursuit involving multiple agencies and a drone-assisted capture in Pleasanton.
  • In early February 2026, both sides filed detailed sentencing memoranda ahead of McBee's sentencing hearing.

The players

Joseph Michael McBee

An Oakland resident who was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for a 2023 San Francisco mail robbery.

Ebony Reeves

One of McBee's co-defendants who has pleaded guilty in the case.

Felix Wilson

Another of McBee's co-defendants who has pleaded guilty in the case.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin

The judge who sentenced McBee to 5 years in federal prison.

San Francisco Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested McBee and is coordinating with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on the broader investigation.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Joseph McBee out on bail pending his federal prison term.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of mail theft and robberies of postal workers in the Bay Area, prompting federal and local authorities to crack down on these types of crimes that can significantly impact residents waiting on important deliveries.