United States of America v. Donte Hughes

Chicago, Illinois criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with robbing a United States Postal Service letter carrier.

DONTE HUGHES and another individual approached the carrier from behind as she was delivering mail. The other individual wrapped both arms around the carrier, preventing her from moving, while Hughes reached into the carrier’s pocket and demanded property. The victim complied with the demand and turned over official USPS property. Hughes and the other individual then fled the area on foot.

Hughes was arrested in 2024. At the time of the robbery, he was on probation for a firearm-related conviction in state court.

Hughes, 34, of Chicago, pleaded guilty last year to a federal robbery charge. On Feb. 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings sentenced Hughes to four years and three months in federal prison for the robbery of the postal carrier.

The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Mary T. Johnson, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Valuable assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.

The Defendant pleaded guilty to count 1 (one) of the Indictment. Count two of the indictment is dismissed. The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of Fifty-one (51) months as to count 1 of the Indictment. The defendant is remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal. Upon release from imprisonment, you shall be on supervised release for a term of three (3) years as to count 1 of the indictment. Criminal Monetary Penalties. Schedule of Payments.