RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and mail theft.According to court documents, from at least July through August 2025, Quavon William Smith, 40, used an arrow key to break into several blue collection boxes in Richmond and Henrico. Arrow keys are used by United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers to access authorized mail receptacles. Smith was not employed by USPS and was not authorized to possess or use an arrow key. During many of the break-ins, after taking mail out of the collection box, Smith would put a different packet of mail back into the box.On Aug. 29, 2025, the U.S.
Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) received an access alert and notified Henrico County Police (HCPD). USPIS and HCPD proceeded to the Lakeside Post Office where Smith had used the arrow key to access a collection box and moved mail from the box to his vehicle. Smith was in possession of stolen mail, including several high-value checks, as well as two loaded handguns. In 2009, Smith was convicted in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court of distribution of cocaine.
As a convicted felon, Smith cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.USPIS investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni prosecuted the case.Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-167.