Fortino Pilier, Postal Key Possession, New York 2024

A Buffalo man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for illegally possessing postal keys. Fortino Pilier, 28, of Buffalo, NY, was convicted of possession of a postal service key.

According to the evidence presented, on October 23, 2024, Pilier was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies. During the traffic stop, Pilier fled from the vehicle and deputies pursued and arrested him. After he was arrested, Pilier was searched, and two United States Postal arrow keys were found in his pocket.

An arrow key can be used to open authorized mail receptacles owned by the Postal Service. Pilier admitted that he planned to use the arrow keys to unlawfully access mail receptacles.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.

Pilier was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison and three years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who handled the case, stated that the evidence presented showed Pilier’s intent to use the postal keys for unlawful purposes.

The arrest and subsequent sentencing serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of the postal system. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to work tirelessly to prevent and investigate crimes related to postal service.

In related news, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has increased its efforts to educate the public on the risks associated with unauthorized access to mail receptacles.

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