YOUNGSTOWN A Youngstown man charged in the robbery of a letter carrier now intends to change his plea in federal court.

Joseph Grove, 37, who was indicted on charges including theft of a postal key, mail theft, and bank fraud, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Friday, before U.S. District Court Judge J. Philip Calabrese. The hearing was set following a status conference, during which defense counsel requested a change-of-plea hearing.

Federal authorities unsealed the indictment in August, accusing Grove of robbing a U.S. Postal Service employee on their route near Rush Boulevard and Hilton Street on March 13, 2024. The robbery targeted an “arrow key,” a special key used to unlock collection mailboxes nationwide.

According to a U.S. Postal Inspector, the mail carrier reported that a man approached him and showed a gun tucked into his waistband while saying, "Don't die for a key bro." The carrier provided the key after the man escalated the confrontation, telling the employee, "If you try anything, you're dead."

The indictment also alleges that Grove attempted to deposit a stolen check at a PNC Bank branch in the month following the robbery. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information in the case.

Grove has been in the Mahoning County Jail since his arrest on other charges in April 2024. He initially pleaded not guilty to the federal charges during his arraignment.

Since 2020, there have been more than 2,000 attempted or completed robberies against postal employees nationally, prompting Congress to consider the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act.

The proposed legislation aims to address the use of universal "arrow keys," ensure the Justice Department prioritizes the prosecution of crimes against carriers, and amend sentencing guidelines for assault or robbery committed against a letter carrier.