A joint investigation by the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a former postal employee accused of participating in a large-scale identity theft and check forgery scheme. Authorities say the investigation concluded after nearly three years of coordinated work between local and federal investigators. The case focused on allegations that mailed checks intended for businesses were intercepted, altered, and fraudulently deposited. Investigators estimate the total value of compromised checks connected to the scheme reached approximately $1.6 million.

The suspect, identified as Dominique Tamez, was arrested on February 25, 2026, and booked into the Bastrop County Jail. Jail records show she has since posted bond and been released. The case was presented to a Bastrop County grand jury late last year, which returned a true bill of indictment. Tamez now faces charges of Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information involving five to ten items, which is classified under Texas law as a third-degree felony.

Local Businesses Made Complaints

According to investigators, the case began in July 2023 when the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports from local businesses about checks that never reached their intended recipients. Business owners told authorities that payments they mailed or dropped off at the post office were not being delivered. Instead, the checks were allegedly intercepted before delivery. Investigators later determined many of the checks had been altered and deposited through mobile banking applications.

Authorities say those deposits were traced to bank accounts located in the Houston area. As complaints from businesses continued to increase, the sheriff’s office began coordinating with federal postal investigators to determine whether the incidents were connected. The pattern of altered checks and missing mail suggested a larger scheme involving the handling of mailed financial documents.

USPS Investigators Join the Case

Bastrop County Investigator Mark Garcia contacted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as the reports continued to grow. Federal investigators opened a formal review and began working with the sheriff’s office on the case. At the same time, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General launched an internal investigation focusing on operations at the Smithville Post Office.

Through the joint investigation, authorities say evidence began linking Tamez to the intercepted and altered checks. Investigators allege she played a key role in the scheme involving stolen mail and financial information. Officials say the investigation included surveillance, financial tracking, and coordination between multiple agencies to follow the movement of funds and identify individuals connected to the alleged activity.

Interview and Alleged Statements

According to the joint press release, investigators eventually gathered evidence connecting Tamez to the fraudulent checks. She was later interviewed by Special Agent Robert Evans, during which investigators say she made statements acknowledging her involvement in the scheme. Authorities say those statements became part of the evidence presented in the case.

Following the completion of the investigation, the case was submitted to the Bastrop County Grand Jury on December 2, 2025. After reviewing the evidence gathered by investigators, the grand jury issued the indictment that ultimately led to Tamez’s arrest earlier this year. Law enforcement officials say the investigation involved extensive coordination between local detectives and federal postal investigators.

All individuals are presumed innocent, unless and until proven guilty in the court of law.

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