A Knox County man is now facing multiple charges after stealing nearly $1 million in checks, according to a release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). The Office said a deputy conducted a traffic stop around 1:40 p.m. on Oct. 5 on a black Infiniti SUV. After approaching the SUV, deputies told the people in the car that they smelled the odor of marijuana. 

The front seat passenger, 28-year-old Dontray Ligon, said the SUV belonged to him and allowed the deputy to search it. During the search, the deputy found two lunchboxes, each containing “large quantities” of suspected stolen check-related mail. 

“The suspect was taken into custody without incident. The investigation was turned over to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit,” KCSO said.

Detectives have since identified multiple victims connected to the mail, with the amount in stolen checks totaling up to $972,051.63, KCSO said. 

“Ligon stated that he is an employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Knoxville, where the mail is believed to have been stolen from,” the sheriff’s office said. “Ligon has now been charged with a Class A felony for theft of $250,000.00 or more and a Class A felony for mail theft of $250,000.00 or more.” 

KCSO said detectives are working with U.S. postal inspectors, with the possibility of more charges pending.

This is a developing story.