Rochester postal carrier admits to stealing cash, gift cards and more from mail
A Rochester postal carrier has admitted that she opened mail destined for Eastman music school students and others and pocketed cash, gift cards and lottery tickets.
The carrier, Marlene Cruz, opened dozens of letters — close to 90, prosecutors estimate — and then sometimes resecured them. After complaints from Eastman School of Music students in late 2021 about tampered mail, postal investigators opened an investigation. They placed a surveillance camera in Cruz's postal vehicle and also sent out test mail as part of "integrity" tests to see whether it arrived untouched at destinations.
Multiple surveillance photos from different days showed Cruz opening mail and looking for cash, gift cards, or other rewards.
Cruz's theft didn't make her rich — far from it. In her plea she must pay back an estimated $120 in restitution. However, if more victims are discovered before her May sentencing, the restitution could increase.
Cruz, 40, took an extended leave of absence in 2022 and into 2023, and, upon return, postal investigators began the integrity tests.
"Mail integrity tests generally involve the placement of a piece of 'control' mail in a particular carrier’s delivery case with either insufficient address information, or an address to which agents have access," according to court records.
On one day in May "Cruz opened approximately 13 pieces of mail," the court papers say.
"In some instances, Cruz removed the contents of envelopes, including cash, and discarded the greeting cards/envelopes by tearing them into pieces and throwing them out of her vehicle," according to an affidavit from a federal postal investigator.
Cruz on Thursday pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing mail. Under federal sentencing guidelines, she faces a sentence of up to six months. Her fine would be up to $9,500 under the plea.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY postal carrier admits to stealing cash, gift cards
