Three Charged In Killing of Milwaukee Postal Worker
Kevin McCaa and Charles Ducksworth Jr. face life in prison. Missing package, likely of drugs, appears to be motive.
Milwaukee Federal Courthouse. Photo by Mariiana Tzotcheva
The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges Thursday against three individuals involved in the killing of U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Aundre Cross on Dec. 9. A complaint reveals a possible motive as a missing package of marijuana sent through the postal service.
The complaint alleges Kevin McCaa, 36, and Charles Ducksworth Jr., 26, murdered or aided and abetted the murder of Cross. Both face life in prison. Additionally, Shanelle McCoy, 34, is charged with providing false statements to law enforcement investigating the murder. Her felony charge carries up to a five-year sentence. All three are in custody.
The criminal complaint, released after this article was first published, details how McCaa and Ducksworth were observed, often on residential cameras, in video footage before during and after the killing. Phone records match the video footage, as does clothing and other materials seized during their arrests and at places they lived.
On Dec. 2, seven days before the murder, Cross scanned one of two “sister parcels” sent from California to two different Milwaukee addresses. Records indicate he was more than 1.5 miles from where it was supposed to be delivered and marked the package as “delivery attempted – no access to delivery location.” A search of the post office after the murder didn’t turn up the package.
“Based on my training and experience, Subject Parcel #1 being scanned as ‘Delivery Attempted – No Access to Delivery Location,’ combined with evidence it was not returned to its original USPS delivery unit, could indicate that a USPS employee retained the parcel or provided it to someone else outside of normal operations,” wrote complaint author USPS Inspector Tyler Fink.
On Dec. 9, the day of the murder, multiple cameras show McCaa and Ducksworth following Cross in an Audi SUV with no license plates, approaching Cross and later ditching the weapon.
McCaa, identified based on phone records and other footage, walked towards Cross and out of sight, an off-camera gunshot is heard, and then he ran back towards the vehicle. An individual from the vehicle later is observed walking on the W. Parkway Dr. pedestrian bridge near N. 49th St. over Lincoln Creek. A firearm that matches the bullet that struck Cross was recovered from the creek on Dec. 19.
License plates were reinstalled on the vehicle later that night as the two suspects drove around the city. The vehicle was identified as belonging to McCoy, who later told law enforcement officers that she was driving for Door Dash with the vehicle at the time of the murder. Records confirm she was signed into the service, but surveillance footage shows her driving an Acura that belonged to Ducksworth.
The complaint says that 13 “suspicious” packages were shipped in a manner consistent with drug trafficking from California addresses to addresses in Milwaukee connected with Ducksworth and McCaa. USPS has previously seized a package filled with crystal methamphetamine that was shipped from the same Los Angeles address.
McCaa, according to state court records, was free on $15,000 bail on five felony charges from June. Those charges include first and second-degree recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine. McCaa, according to court records, posted bail to the sheriff and has made multiple court appearances in that case.
He was also out on bail for three Nov. 2021 felony charges for second-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing or eluding an officer in a vehicle. He appeared in court on Dec. 16 for that case.
He has prior felony convictions related to marijuana distribution.
Ducksworth was additionally charged with possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it on Dec. 27. McCaa, in violation of his prior felony convictions, is alleged to have illegally possessed ammunition at the time of his arrest. Ducksworth is charged with possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Cross was shot and killed while delivering mail near N. 65th St. and W. Lancaster Ave.
“The FBI sends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier Aundre Cross,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI continues to work with our partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Milwaukee Police Department to bring those responsible for this senseless crime to justice. The multiple arrests made yesterday represent the unrelenting efforts of these law enforcement partnerships to protect the people of Wisconsin and represents an opportunity for the loved ones of Mr. Cross to begin their healing process. Anyone responsible for crimes against federal employees who are doing their jobs in service of the American people will be investigated and held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
“These arrests should make very clear to criminals everywhere that the Postal Inspection Service will not rest when it comes to solving attacks like this,” said Chicago Division Acting Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens. “If you harm one of our employees, we will find you and put you behind bars. My thanks to everyone who contributed to identifying, locating, and apprehending these suspects. Though no words can ever undo this terrible crime, we can at least say that these arrests are another step toward securing justice for Aundre Cross.”
“The Milwaukee Police Department appreciates the diligent work and effort of the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, MPD members and other agencies that collaborated to bring charges against the individuals responsible for the murder of U.S. Postal Carrier Aundre Cross. I am proud of the hard work of all the agencies involved. We are one step closer to bringing these individuals to justice. I and the entire Milwaukee Police Department send our sincere condolences to the Cross family and to the USPS for their loss.” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Honrath and Abbey Marzick are prosecuting the case.
This article was updated at 7:56 p.m. with additional details from the criminal complaint.
Once again Milwaukee’s soft on violent crime policies end up with another person dead. Things need to change in this city fast and the mayor needs to step front and center immediately to explain to the victims families what he is doing to correct this
@Ryan – Your comment makes no sense. What do you think the mayor could possibly do to change this? How is Milwaukee soft on crime?
Per the article – The police arrested McCaa multiple times as a suspect in separate crimes. He posted bail to get out of jail each time and made his court appearances. Judges who set bail do not work for the mayor or the police department.
What recommendations do you have for the mayor and the city of Milwaukee to improve these problems? The state Republicans have been de-funding the police and fire departments for decades via “reduced” state revenue sharing compared to what Milwaukee provides to the state. There is no money left for the city to improve citizens’ lives with needed services of many sorts.
Would this murder have happened if Wisconsin had legal cannabis like so many other states do? Food for thought.