Chicago Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Burglary Charges

Andrew Trotter, a Chicago man who was twice arrested this year for possession of contraband including counterfeit postal keys, stolen mail, credit cards, and methamphetamine, has been sentenced to three concurrent four-year prison terms after pleading guilty to burglary charges.

The 45-year-old Trotter entered his pleas before Judge Aleksandra Gillespie, following cases that stemmed from an arrest in Logan Square in July and another arrest in September with similar allegations.

One new detail emerged in the September case – Trotter had added a tattoo of the word “Trust” across his forehead by the time investigators caught up with him again.

In July, officers in Logan Square found Trotter in possession of a counterfeit postal master key, stolen mail belonging to multiple individuals, over 30 credit and debit cards, fraudulent IDs, burglary tools, and approximately $2,600 worth of suspected methamphetamine. Additionally, police recovered a handbag containing burglary tools, U-Haul keys, additional IDs, and a CTA employee badge that did not belong to Trotter. Despite the serious charges, he was released pending trial as the charges were not detainable under Illinois law.

After failing to appear in court, Trotter was apprehended again in September in the 2400 block of North Lawndale. This time, he was found with two counterfeit USPS master keys, suspected methamphetamine, multiple stolen debit and credit cards, and a stolen passport.

Counterfeit postal master keys, known as arrow keys within the postal service, can unlock banks of residential mailboxes and collection boxes, making them highly sought after on the black market. Trotter was suspected of multiple mail thefts on the Northwest Side earlier in the year.

Despite facing federal charges, most mail theft cases are handled at the state level unless suspects are linked to larger organized crime rings or significant financial losses.

Trotter’s four-year sentence will be reduced to two years with good behavior, and he is expected to be released on September 10, 2027.

Mail theft remains a prevalent issue in Chicago, with thieves targeting mailboxes to steal checks, credit cards, bank statements, tax documents, and other sensitive financial information. It is crucial for law enforcement to continue addressing these crimes to protect residents from identity theft and financial fraud.