Jacksonville man could face up to 30 years in prison for stealing mail from multiple Northeast Florida residents

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and mail theft in connection with multiple counties in Northeast Florida.

According to the Justice Department, Jonathan Hidalgo, 27, of Jacksonville, his accomplice, Frank Acanda, 27, and others drove around Fleming Island, Jacksonville and St. Augustine for several months stealing mail from mailboxes in homes and businesses.

Prosecutors say the pair opened mail, stole checks and money orders, then deposited them into their bank accounts and withdrew cash from ATMs.

RELATED: How to protect your email: We reveal the security secrets

The Justice Department said in some cases the pair altered the size of stolen checks, increasing the amount on them to maximize the amount they could withdraw.

According to the Department of Justice, Hidalgo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft and one count of mail theft.

He faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and up to five years for mail theft and conspiracy to commit mail theft.

RELATED: US Postal Service Takes New Steps to Prevent Mail Robberies, Mail Thefts

Acanda pleaded guilty on June 12. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 30, 2024.

The Justice Department said both Hidalgo and Acanda will be required to return money to the victims they defrauded.