Multiple Federal Charges Pending
Salem, Ore. — A 33-year-old Salem man was arrested yesterday, March 25, during the service of a warrant at an apartment in southeast Salem.
Salem Police patrol officers arrested Ross Benjamin Sierzega on Monday afternoon without incident on multiple warrants stemming from a nearly two-year investigation by Felony Crimes Unit detectives into incidents of mail theft and related crimes in the Salem area.
Following the arrest, a search warrant was served in partnership with the United States Postal Inspection Service at Sierzega’s apartment in the 3300 block of Crawford ST SE. The search of the dwelling resulted in the seizure of two lock cores from community mailboxes, several counterfeit mailbox keys and tools to manufacture the counterfeit keys, multiple checks, bank cards, and financial documents not in Sierzega’s name, and approximately 30 pounds of mail. In addition to the evidence collected, detectives seized a short-barreled shotgun and home-made body armor.
Sierzega is currently in custody of the US Marshals Service on federal charges related to this investigation. In addition to 11 outstanding Oregon warrants, Sierzega was charged with the following:
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun
- Felon in possession of body armor
- Identity theft
- Forgery, first-degree
- Criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree
- Possession of burglary tools
Sierzega will make his initial appearance in federal court today, March 26, on a federal warrant which was based on charges of mail theft, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud. Under US Code, manufacture of a counterfeit mail key carries a maximum sentence of 10 years upon conviction.
Of the investigation, Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack noted, “I know so many residents have been directly impacted in recent years all across our city as victims of this far too prevalent and pernicious crime. The suspect’s arrest hopefully brings some sense of justice to victims and signals to those who would steal mail and commit fraud that we take these crimes seriously.”
The chief of police also commended the collaborative work done by Salem Police detectives and the US postal inspectors involved, “My thanks to the detectives who were relentless in their investigative efforts. I am also grateful for the excellent working relationship we have with the US Postal Inspection Service.”
Felony Crimes Unit detectives will spend the next several weeks reaching out to victims to return stolen property seized in the investigation. The US Postal Inspection Service will handle the processing and return of the stolen mail.
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