Four Former AZ Postal Workers Charged With Mail Theft

Stolen mail included credit cards, gift cards and packages from multiple Valley postal facilities PHOENIX - A federal grand jury here returned separate indictments here today against four former U.S. Postal Service workers for felony offenses relating primarily to theft of mail. U.S. Attorney Paul K. Charlton said of the indictments, Few civil service employees embody our trust in good government like postal employees. We rely on them to carry our checks, handle our social security numbers, and deliver our most personal letters. The individuals charged today violated that trust. Below are each of the unrelated indictments returned by a federal grand jury: Kimberly Sue Haney, CR-06-0593-PHX, 40, Phoenix Theft of Mail Matter by a Postal Service Employee (2 counts), Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute (1count), 224 Pieces (Including Capital One Credit Card Solicitations and a Social Security Card) Stephen Lawrence McFadden, CR-06-0595-PHX, 43, Peoria Theft of Mail Matter by a Postal Service Employee (3 counts), 18 Pieces (Including Visa and Target Gift Cards) Michelle Lynn O'Connor, CR-06-0594-PHX, 38, Phoenix Theft of Mail Matter by a Postal Service Employee (3 counts), 3 Pieces (Including Visa Credit and Debit Cards) Richard Von Braun, CR-06-0592-PHX, 36, Gilbert Theft of Mail Matter by a Postal Service Employee (1 count), Possession of Stolen Mail (1 Count), 14 Pieces (Including 3 Parcels) The indictments generally allege that while employed by the Postal Service, the defendants stole items from the mail including credit and debit cards, gift cards and personal identification. Each defendant will be issued a summons to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge within two weeks. McFadden worked out of the Phoenix Processing and Distribution Center handling cancellation of stamped mail from throughout Arizona. O'Connor worked out of the Washington Station, Phoenix, Post Office as a letter carrier. Haney worked out of the Maryvale Station, Phoenix, Post Office as a letter carrier. Von Braun worked out of the Gilbert/Val Vista Station as a Postal Clerk. Convictions for Theft of Mail Matter by a Postal Employee and Possession of Stolen Mail each carry maximum penalties of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Possession of Methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine or both. In determining the actual sentences, the judges assigned to each case will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. Each judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a particular sentence. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigations preceding the indictments were conducted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The prosecutions are being handled by Frederick A. Battista and Michelle Hamilton-Burns, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.