News and Press Releases
Former letter carrier pleads guilty to stealing mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Today in federal court, a former U.S. postal carrier pleaded guilty to stealing from the mail he delivered. Giang Nguyen, age 48, of Superior, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal employee. Nguyen, who was charged via an Information on September 6, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Judge John R. Tunheim.
In his plea agreement, Nguyen admitted that from March 2010 to January 7, 2011, he removed applications for Menards rebate checks, the actual rebate checks, and Menards Big Game Money Cards from the mail he was entrusted to deliver. During this period, Nguyen was employed by the Duluth Post Office. Nguyen used the rebate checks and Big Game Money Cards that he stole to make purchases at Menards. He also altered the stolen rebate check applications so that Menards would issue the checks to himself, rather than the customers on his route. In total, Nguyen stole at least 77 pieces of mail intended for Menards and at least 45 residents on his route. Through his activity, Nguyen received at least $1,456.75 intended for residents on his route.
For his crime, Nguyen faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison. Judge Tunheim will determine his sentence at a future hearing, not yet scheduled. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service-Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Kokkinen.
