Paragould Man Charged With Felony Mail Theft After Police Find Dozens of Letters

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould man is facing felony charges after police say he was found in possession of dozens of pieces of stolen mail belonging to local businesses.

According to a probable cause affidavit from the Paragould Police Department, officers were contacted Feb. 2, 2026, after an individual reported that a man they knew as “K” came to their residence that morning and handed them several envelopes containing personal checks. The individual turned the mail over to police and said the man believed the business listed on the envelopes was experiencing financial trouble.

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Police spoke with the owner of the business the checks were addressed to. The business owner reported checking their post office box earlier that morning and receiving about seven pieces of mail. A U.S. Postal Service employee later told police that the same post office box had contained approximately 40 pieces of mail that morning.

Later that afternoon, officers were called to another local business after employees reported an unknown man going through their mailbox. An employee said they confronted the man while he had mail and checks in his hands and were able to recover the items before he left. The employee provided officers with a description and the man’s direction of travel.

Police located the suspect in the area and identified him as Kentrell Oneal Bell, 37. Officers noted Bell is on probation and has a search waiver on file. A search of Bell’s backpack reportedly uncovered more than 40 pieces of mail addressed to the same local business from earlier that day.

Bell was taken to the police station and interviewed after being advised of his Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, Bell claimed he found the mail on the ground. Investigators reported finding USPS-specific forms and paperwork in his possession, which they said indicated he had been inside the post office. A postal employee later told police the post office box involved could be easily popped open.

Police said Bell admitted he offered financial assistance to the individual who first reported the incident and later admitted to taking mail from the second business.

Bell is charged with two counts of mail theft, Class D felonies. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or surety by Judge Curtis Hitt. The court also issued a no-contact order and ordered Bell not to possess weapons.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.