Rural Mail Carrier Convicted of Possession of Stolen Mail

Posted on by postal

 The following is a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas:

SEPT. 21, 2007

(HOUSTON, Texas) – A federal jury has convicted a former rural mail carrier for possessing stolen mail, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Diana Quinones, 49, who had worked for the United States Postal Service since October 2001, was convicted of possessing stolen mail Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007.  The jury’s verdict comes after three days of trial testimony and approximately three hours of deliberation.

During the trial, which began Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, the jury heard testimony establishing that Quinones was assigned as a rural mail carrier at the Cypress, Texas, Main Post Office, located at 16635 Spring Cypress Road and delivered mail along Route 43.  Beginning in September 2006, complaints were received at the post office regarding the non-delivery of mail along Route 43.  In response to the complaints, special agents of the U. S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General initiated an investigation involving the placement and monitoring of undercover test packages for delivery along Route 43.  In January 2007, Quinones was observed removing a test package from the post office without authorization.  Later that day, as Quinones was preparing to leave the post office for the day in her personal vehicle, agents found the same package with the contents removed.  However, the item contained in the package was never recovered.  Quinones was immediately relieved of duty following the discovery of the package.

Quinones was originally charged with both theft of the mail and possession of stolen mail.  The jury acquitted Quinones of the theft of the mail charge alleged in the indictment. 
   

United States District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for Dec. 17, 2007.  Quinones faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and a  $250,000 fine for the possession of stolen mail conviction.  Quinones was released on bond after surrendering to federal authorities following her indictment in February 2007 and has been permitted to remain free on bond pending her sentencing. 

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertram Isaacs and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tammie Y. Moore.