Kirtland woman indicted for her role in a group that stole mail in Lake County

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging a Kirtland woman for her role in a group that stole mail in Lake County, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. 

Corey Lauren Whalen, 18, was indicted on one count of aiding and abetting the theft of mail and one count of possessing stolen mail.

Whalen aided others in stealing a package in Painesville on Nov. 27 and a letter in Mentor on Dec. 5, according to the indictment.

The case remains under investigation.

“People should be vigilant about collecting their mail and packages, particularly during the holidays,” Herdman said. “Customers are reminded not to send cash through the mail, use a secure mailbox and consider using security cameras.”

“While mail theft is at a very low rate in the Cleveland area, Postal Inspectors work aggressively with local agencies to combat any reports of mail theft.  The Postal Service is always a very safe and secure way of conducting commerce” said Tommy Coke, Inspector in Charge, Pittsburgh Division.

Mentor Police Chief Kevin Knight said: “Hopefully the charges send a clear message to those who think they can just go around and steal other people’s property that they worked so hard to get.”

“This case was solved when a good neighbor called in, which is what it’s all about, and a lot of cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” said Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap.

Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Lake County Sherriff’s Office, the Mentor Police Department, and the Painesville Police Department.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.