FORMER POSTAL EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF MAIL
CHRISTOPHER BOURGEOIS, age 20, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to a four-count indictment for theft of mail by a United States Postal Service employee, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, a Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General for the U. S. Postal Service learned that sixty-two (62) pieces of riffled mail were found in the main post office located in New Orleans. Through his investigation, the Special Agent determined that postal employee, BOURGEOIS, had riffled through the above-referenced pieces of mail. On March 24, 2010, the Special Agent prepared six (6) first-class test letters addressed to fictional individuals, and stuffed them with cash and gift cards. On March 26, 2010, the Special Agent placed the test letters in the collection slots for mail inside the Marrero Post Office, where BOURGEOIS worked. Shortly thereafter, BOURGEOIS was observed placing his hands in the carts that contained the test letters. The Special Agent then noticed cash in BOURGEOIS’ left hand as it emerged from the cart. BOURGEOIS then placed the cash into his left front pocket and walked away from the mail area. Immediately thereafter, the Special Agent confronted BOURGEOIS about the theft. After he was advised of his Miranda Rights, BOURGEOIS, admitted that he took the money out of three or four test letters.
BOURGEOIS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a $250,000 fine, and three (3) years supervised release following imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 18, 2010.
The case was investigated by the office of Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro Latsis.
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