Federal authorities have arrested two Danbury residents accused of stealing money from the U.S. Postal Service through money order fraud.
Authorities said Anthony Sterlin Cantave, 34, and Venus Verges, 33, both of Danbury, would buy money orders ranging from $400 to $1,000 and deposit them into their bank accounts through a smartphone app. Once the funds had reached their account, Cantave and Verges would return the money orders and pocket the refund.
A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment against the two on June 18. They were arrested June 20.
The scheme allegedly went on between August and October 2013 at post offices in Fairfield County.
Cantave and Verges were each charged with one count of conspiracy to convert public money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Cantave was also charged with 11 counts and Verges with five counts of conversion of public money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Both pleaded not guilty in federal court in Hartford on June 20.