Man charged with stealing $650K in stamps, other USPS merchandise: Morning Report

Linn's Stamp News gives you a quick look at what's going on in the world of stamp-collecting.

1. Stamp thief charged

Jimmy Lee Williams, 47, has been charged in a check fraud scheme used to bilk U.S. Postal Service locations throughout the southeastern U.S. out of $650,000 worth of stamps and other merchandise, according to The Charlotte Observer.

"The indictment says Williams gave counterfeit checks and fake IDs to 16 accomplices to buy postage stamps, gift cards and other merchandise from post offices in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia," the Observer report reads. "His accomplices gave the stamps they bought to Williams, who sold them to an Internet company in California and a North Carolina pawn shop, typically for 50 to 70 percent of the face value, prosecutors said."

Twenty-nine felony charges have been filed against Williams, including conspiracy, making counterfeit securities, and theft of government property. 

2. eBay bidding war

"When two auction bidders decide they must have the same thing, the results can be spectacular," writes Charles Snee.

That situation played out on March 22, as two bidders had at it over a United States 22¢ Grover Cleveland stamp on a domestic registered cover.

3. Russian rarity discovered

"A heretofore unknown Russia rarity was discovered in early March among a batch of items purchased at auction in Europe."

It's valued at $85,000. Read about it here.

4. Yesterday's most-viewed post

Letter details changes at World Stamp Show-NY2016

5. Being social

Today is National Medal of Honor Day. Is there a medal recipient in your family or community? pic.twitter.com/5BfzBoKMZq

— USPS Stamps (@USPSstamps) March 25, 2015