Litchfield Mail Carrier Steals $40K in Money Orders

HARTFORD, CT – Keith Sanford, 33, of Litchfield, is facing the consequences for a brazen scheme to line his pockets with U.S. Postal Service funds. Sanford was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to five years of probation after admitting to embezzling nearly $40,000 through fraudulent postal money orders.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, led by John H. Durham, detailed a calculated operation that unfolded between July 2017 and December 2018. Sanford, employed as a rotating postal worker across the Granby, West Granby, and East Hartland post offices, exploited his position for personal gain. He specifically targeted postal money orders, issuing 139 totaling $39,937.02 to himself and, disturbingly, to his associates.

Court documents reveal Sanford never remitted payment for these fraudulently obtained money orders. He pocketed the full amount, effectively stealing from the Postal Service and taxpayers. The scheme wasn’t a one-time lapse in judgment; it was a sustained effort spanning nearly nine months, indicating a deliberate intent to defraud.

Judge Bryant didn’t just hand down a probationary sentence. She also ordered Sanford to pay full restitution, meaning he’s legally obligated to repay the stolen $39,937.02. While probation allows him to remain free, the financial burden will likely hang over him for years to come.

Sanford initially pleaded guilty on June 2, 2020, to one count of theft of government property. The investigation was spearheaded by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, who meticulously pieced together the evidence of Sanford’s misconduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez successfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even within seemingly trustworthy institutions like the USPS, individuals can succumb to greed. While the sentence may seem lenient to some, it’s a federal felony conviction that will undoubtedly impact Sanford’s future. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.