PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland man is facing federal charges stemming from what investigators characterize as a sophisticated mail-theft operation using counterfeit U.S. Postal Service master keys.

According to federal prosecutors, Michael John Peters stole mail from collection boxes and secure apartment buildings in Southwest and Northwest Portland, particularly the Pearl District.

In court records, investigators shared images from security cameras showing Peters entering various apartments and condo buildings in Portland. U.S. Postal Inspectors documented 11 instances of Peters stealing mail between May and August 2025. They said he is linked to roughly $30,000 in bank and wire fraud.

Investigators said Peters had multiple counterfeit "arrow keys," the kind of specialized master keys use

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