Pukwana Woman Sentenced for Theft of Mail by Postal Service Employee

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pukwana, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of Mail by Postal Service Employee was sentenced on February 24, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Kayla Ottmo, age 36, was sentenced to 2 years of probation, $315 in restitution, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Ottmo was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2019.  She pled guilty on November 26, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about September 2018, and November 2, 2018, when Ottmo stole letters, packages, bags, and mail that were not addressed to her.  These items had been placed in the custody and control of the U.S. Postal Service and were intended to be conveyed by mail.  Ottmo stole the contents of the letters, packages, bags, and mail, namely gift cards and other items of value, and converted them to her own use.  At the time, Ottmo was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Pukwana as a rural carrier associate. 

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.