Pittsburgh Post Office Hit: Filbert Admits Robbery

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A brazen daylight robbery of the Bloomfield Post Office landed 50-year-old Joseph R. Filbert in federal court, where he finally admitted guilt this week. Filbert pleaded guilty to one count of robbery of a U.S. Post Office before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak, bringing a close – though not a resolution – to a case dating back to December 2011.

On December 14, 2011, Filbert walked into the Bloomfield Post Office and, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, demanded money from a postal clerk. He made off with $569.00 in U.S. currency, leaving investigators with little more than grainy surveillance footage. But it was enough.

Postal Inspectors, combing through footage from both the Post Office and a neighboring business, were able to positively identify the vehicle Filbert was operating – and Filbert himself. The break in the case came when authorities executed a search warrant, recovering shoes believed to have been worn during the commission of the robbery. Evidence doesn’t lie, and it ultimately sealed Filbert’s fate.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton, announcing the guilty plea, offered little in the way of commentary, letting the facts speak for themselves. The incident highlights the ongoing threat faced by postal workers and the dedication of the United States Postal Inspection Service to bringing perpetrators to justice. This wasn’t a sophisticated operation; it was a desperate act with serious consequences.

Judge Hornak has scheduled sentencing for November 13, 2013. Filbert now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of $250,000, or both. The final sentence will be determined based on the seriousness of the offense and Filbert’s criminal history, if any. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking is leading the prosecution.

The investigation, conducted solely by the United States Postal Inspection Service, underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting the mail and those who serve it. While the recovery of the stolen funds remains unconfirmed, Filbert’s guilty plea represents a measure of closure for the Bloomfield Post Office and the community it serves. This case serves as a stark reminder that robbing a federal facility carries significant penalties.