Juan Torres, Mail Theft, New Jersey 2020

Bergen County postal employee Juan Torres has been caught red-handed in a brazen scheme to steal checks from the mail, leading to a guilty plea in federal court. The 28-year-old Hackensack resident admitted to stealing over $27,000 in checks from addresses in Hackensack, Leonia, and Maywood, New Jersey.

The scheme, which took place from November 2019 to May 2020, saw Torres deposit the stolen checks into his own bank account, including a $1,505 check taken from a third-party victim. Investigators found that Torres had stolen a total of over $27,000 through this method.

Torres pleaded guilty to a single count of mail theft by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark, New Jersey. The mail theft charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

The investigation into Torres’ actions was led by special agents with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office, and postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark represented the government in this case. Special agents from the IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez, and the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay, also assisted in the investigation.

Torres is scheduled to be sentenced on October 4, 2021. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his crimes.

As a postal worker, Torres had access to sensitive information and the trust of his community. Instead, he chose to use his position for personal gain, stealing from those who trusted him with their mail. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions.

Torres’ guilty plea is a significant development in this case, and it highlights the efforts of law enforcement to root out corruption and protect the public trust. The outcome of this case will serve as a warning to others who may be tempted to engage in similar behavior.

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