Placerville, CA – Detectives in El Dorado, Sacramento, and Amador counties uncovered a large-scale mail theft and identity fraud operation this week, leading to the arrest of a suspect accused of stealing thousands of mail items and running a sophisticated credit card scheme, authorities said.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in October 2025 when a resident reported stolen mail, including a new credit card. Detectives identified a person of interest, now named as Matthew Henson, who allegedly used the stolen credit card to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases across multiple counties.
Detectives then partnered with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as the scope of the alleged scheme expanded. According to investigators, multiple search warrants were issued and served at several locations tied to the case.
During the searches, investigators reported recovering a significant amount of evidence, including:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Thousands of pieces of allegedly stolen mail
- Credit card embossing machines
- Fake driver’s licenses
- Illegal mailbox keys
- License plate covers
According to the sheriff’s office, Henson was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville on a $615,000 bail. He faces several charges, including identity theft (PC 530.5(a)), grand theft (PC 487(a)), illegal use of a credit card (PC 484G), and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (PC 29800(a)(1), PC 30305(a)(1)).
Officials said the case remains ongoing as investigators work to identify additional victims across the region. Authorities urged residents to monitor their mail and financial statements for irregularities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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