Broken Arrow Postal Worker Gets Probation for Package Theft

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – A Broken Arrow woman who abused her position within the United States Postal Service has been sentenced to two years of probation for pilfering a package entrusted to her care. MEGAN LEE McMAHAN, 37, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge James H. Payne in Muskogee this week, bringing a close – though hardly a satisfying one – to a case stretching back over a decade.

The Embezzlement Of Mail By Postal Employee charge, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709, stemmed from an investigation launched by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The initial indictment came down in November 2013, but it took until February 2014 for Mcmahan to finally enter a guilty plea. The wheels of justice, as always, grind slowly – especially when dealing with betrayals of public trust.

Court documents detail that on or about July 24, 2013, while working as a USPS employee within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Mcmahan willfully and knowingly made off with a package she was responsible for handling. The indictment specifically alleges she “embezzled” the item, a legal term signifying the fraudulent appropriation of property entrusted to her. What was in the package remains undisclosed, but the act itself is a serious breach of duty.

While two years of probation may seem a lenient sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wilson, who prosecuted the case, likely argued for a punishment that reflects the violation of trust inherent in this crime. Postal workers are entrusted with sensitive and valuable items, and their honesty is paramount. Mcmahan’s actions undermined that trust and exposed vulnerabilities within the system.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the USPS Office of Inspector General to root out corruption and criminal activity within the postal service. Despite the length of time it took to reach a conclusion, the conviction sends a message: abusing a position of public trust will not go unpunished. It’s a small victory, perhaps, but a necessary one in a world increasingly riddled with dishonesty.

Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases in Oklahoma and across the nation, exposing the dark underbelly of crime and holding those responsible accountable. The sentencing of MEGAN LEE McMAHAN is a stark reminder that even seemingly minor offenses can have significant consequences, and that no one is above the law – not even those wearing a postal uniform.

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