INDIANAPOLIS — A former U.S. Postal Service Employee pleaded guilty to stealing money and gift cards from the mail.
Justin Crain, 29, of Indianapolis, has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to 180 days of home detention, followed by three years of probation, 40 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine.
The DOJ said Crain worked as a U.S. Postal Service mail processing clerk at its Indianapolis processing and distribution center.
The Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General started an investigation after it noticed "numerous" mail items that passed through the local processing center had been opened before being delivered to where they were supposed to be delivered.
Video surveillance showed Crain opening several greeting cards and taking out the cash and gift cards inside each of them, the DOJ said.
Within a two-hour timespan, Crain was seen "dozens of times" shuffling through mail items trying to find cash.
Investigators interviewed Crain and he eventually admitted to stealing $5,000 over the course of a few months.
“The vast majority of Postal employees are dedicated to their important mission and serve the public admirably, delivering people’s private, important, and sensitive items,” Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a statement. “The defendant was sworn and entrusted to protect the public’s mail, and instead abused his position to steal gifts meant to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special events. Public service is a public trust, and government employees who use their positions to steal from the public will be identified and held accountable.”
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated this case.