A Suffolk man is one of two men sentenced to four years in prison for their involvement in the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier.

According to court documents, on May 9, 2023, O’Sirus Landres Charles Ford, 21, of Chesapeake, committed the robbery at gunpoint and recruited Jayden Stukes, 21, of Suffolk, to assist him.

Ford targeted the mail carrier for his “arrow” key. According to USPS, the arrow key is a universal key used to access collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units, and apartment panels. Supervisors assign these keys — generally one per route — to carriers for use on over 300,000 delivery and collection routes each day.

Stukes agreed to drive Ford, informing him that Da’Twan Watson, 24, of Chesapeake, would also be joining them.

Armed with handguns and masks, Ford, Stukes, and Watson set out to find the mail carrier.

They approached the carrier on Galax Street in Hampton, where Ford threatened him with a firearm and demanded the USPS arrow key. After obtaining the key, Ford and Watson fled.

Watson and Stukes pleaded guilty to their involvement, with Stukes being sentenced first, followed by Watson.

Ford pleaded guilty to charges related to the robbery and is awaiting sentencing on May 2.