Stephanie Atkins, Theft of Mail, Pennsylvania 2019

A brazen crime has shaken the integrity of the United States Postal Service in Pennsylvania. A resident of Midland, Pennsylvania, has been charged with stealing money from the mail.

The defendant, Stephanie Atkins, 31, was an employee of the United States Postal Service in May 2019. Atkins allegedly stole money intended to be conveyed by mail on or about May 14, 2019.

According to the indictment, the lone charge against Atkins is theft of mail by a postal employee. The United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced the indictment, which carries a maximum sentence of not more than five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.

The law requires that the sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Atkins was released on $5,000 unsecured bond, awaiting her trial. The outcome of this case remains uncertain, but one thing is clear - the trust in the postal service has been shaken.

The crime was reported in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Atkins is said to reside. The exact date of the crime is May 14, 2019, and the maximum sentence carries a fine of $250,000 and up to 5 years in prison. The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG).

We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/us-postal-service-employee-charged-stealing-money-mail