USPS worker accused of stealing, cashing rent money orders from South Miami apartment tenants

SOUTH MIAMI, Fla. — A United States Postal Service employee working out of the South Miami area has been arrested for stealing and cashing multiple rent money orders from apartment dropboxes, South Miami police confirmed in an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News on Wednesday.

Authorties said 31-year-old Jayven Christian Jolly was taken into custody at his North Miami Beach home on Wednesday after an investigation revealed a pattern of theft spanning several apartment complexes in South Miami.

Police released video showing Jolly cashing the stolen money orders at ATMs and bank branches, including Navy Federal Credit Union, Stride Bank, and Amscot.

Authorities said the scheme began in December 2025, with at least four victims reporting missing rent payments that had been placed in mailboxes.

According to Jolly’s arrest report. one victim said he deposited four money orders totaling $1,800 for December rent at Villa Fontana, only to learn later that the payments had not been received.

Bank records later confirmed that the money orders had been fraudulently cashed by Jolly, police said.

Other victims reported similar incidents.

One said two December rent money orders totaling $1,765 were stolen from Sunset Manor Apartments and cashed at Stride Bank, while another reported two money orders totaling $1,850 were stolen from Villa Fontana and cashed at Amscot, according to investigators.

In each case, investigators said Jolly’s name had been added to the “pay-to line” of the money orders.

They said Jolly exploited his access to local apartment dropboxes to steal the rent payments.

Investigators said they collected surveillance video, documentation from banks and Western Union, and victim statements, which showed Jolly cashing multiple money orders in a short time frame.

Authorities also said Jolly provided a recorded confession and a detailed account of the locations and incidents during transport in a marked police vehicle.

Jail records show Jolly is facing one count each of organized scheme to defraud, communications fraud over $300, forgery, uttering forged instruments, and third-degree grand theft.

As of Thursday, he was being held on a $25,000 bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

South Miami police continue to investigate the incidents and have urged anyone with additional information or other possible victims to call them at 305-663-6301.

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