Former USPS Worker Sentenced for Stealing Mail in Rochester, NY
A former United States Postal Service (USPS) worker in Rochester, New York has been sentenced after being convicted of stealing mail. Marlene Cruz, 40, was found guilty of theft of mail matter by an officer or employee. She will serve two years of probation, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Cruz was caught handling what appears to be money inside her mail truck. She pleaded guilty to theft of mail by an officer or employee, admitting to stealing money, gift cards, lottery tickets, and other items from the mail.
People started noticing mail tampering in late 2021 and reported it to the USPS in January 2022. After an investigation, it was determined that Cruz, a full-time mail carrier, was involved in the theft. She routinely opened envelopes and parcels between January 2022 and November 2023, taking items such as cash, documents, lottery tickets, and gift cards.
Investigators placed test mail containing cash and gift cards in Cruz’s route in May and November 2023. On November 2, 2023, she was detained at the end of her shift and a gift card from the test mail was found in her personal belongings.
This incident involving mail theft is not isolated. In Ohio, another USPS worker confessed to embezzling mail packages containing fentanyl and methamphetamine for profit. Additionally, in a separate case, three USPS workers along with another individual were arrested for participating in a fraud and identity theft scheme worth over $1 million, involving stolen credit cards from the mail stream.
These cases highlight the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the mail system and holding accountable those who abuse their position for personal gain.
