The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah has announced that Wilber Castellanos Hernandez received a 30-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to carjacking a United States Postal Service (USPS) truck and threatening a postal worker. This announcement was made public through an official statement.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, Hernandez committed the carjacking on February 5, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Hernandez admitted in court to checking the door handle, entering the postal truck, and pointing a knife at the USPS employee who instructed him to leave. Law enforcement tracked Hernandez using GPS technology attached to the vehicle, leading to his arrest shortly after the incident.
The press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office further states that Hernandez pleaded guilty to the carjacking charge and received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow also sentenced him to 36 months of supervised release following his imprisonment. Additionally, Hernandez was ordered to pay $2,828.89 in restitution for damages to the postal truck and missing equipment resulting from the carjacking.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and an FBI Task Force Officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department, according to the same source. Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda prosecuted the case on behalf of the District of Utah as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing community safety through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
The official website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, outlines its role in representing the federal government in criminal prosecutions and civil litigation throughout Utah. The office collaborates closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal laws and support public safety initiatives. More information about its responsibilities, leadership, and current initiatives can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice’s official website.