Oneida County Man Sentenced for Mail Theft

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – On March 9, 2015, MICHAEL OLIVER (34) of Waterville, New York, was sentenced in United States District Court following his earlier plea of guilty to two counts of obstructing the United States mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1701.

United States Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles sentenced OLIVER to one year of Probation and 25 hours of community service. Additionally, the judge imposed a $250 fine and ordered OLIVER to pay $1,155.95 in restitution to the known victims.

These charges stemmed from an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service. The investigation revealed that OLIVER obstructed the passage of the mail by opening envelopes addressed to others and stealing the contents of that mail, all while employed as a highway contract driver for the Postal Service in Oneida and Chenango counties. Between May and September 2014, OLIVER stole greeting cards, cash, and gift cards, among other things, from at least 160 different pieces of mail. In advance of sentencing, thirty-one victims submitted victim-impact statements for the court to consider in imposing OLIVER’s sentence.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry.

For additional information, contact Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney John G. Duncan at 315- 448-0672.