Harvey Resident Arrested and Charged with Mail Fraud and Extortion

NEW ORLEANS—This afternoon, Melvin Lewis, II appeared before a federal magistrate, where he was charge with mail fraud and mailing threatening communications. Lewis was taken into custody yesterday in Harvey, Louisiana, at approximately 9:30 a.m. by special agents and task force officers from FBI New Orleans’ Joint Terrorism Task Force, partner agencies, and the FBI’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team without incident.

Lewis is a black male, 51 years of age.

Lewis is charged with violating Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1341, mail fraud, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and Title 18, U.S.C. Section 876(d), mailing threatening communications, carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison. A detention hearing for Lewis will occur on Monday, April 14, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. in federal court.

Lewis is a convicted felon with multiple charges including drug violations, burglary, trespassing, issuing worthless checks, second-degree murder, battery, aggravated flight from police, theft of goods, and parole violations.