Houston man charged with theft of over 100 pieces mail including absentee ballot

HOUSTON, TX -- A 24-year-old resident of Houston has been arrested on charges of mail theft, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Daruin Anelby Rosario is set to made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan on 2 p.m. Monday.

On Nov. 5, local authorities conducted a traffic stop which led to a search of Rosario’s vehicle, according to the complaint. Inside, law enforcement allegedly found a large quantity of unopened and opened mail in the names of others.

A subsequent inventory of the mail pieces revealed letters, financial checks as well as an unopened mail-in ballot for the State of Washington, according to the charges. Law enforcement immediately forwarded the ballot to election authorities in Washington.

If convicted, Rosario faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Humble Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luis Batarse and Kate Suh are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.