Jackson Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of U.S. Mail by a Postal Employee

Jackson, Miss. – Kimberly Walker, 37, of Jackson, pled guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to theft of U.S. mail by a postal employee, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Chris Cave, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office.

Walker was employed as a mail handler at the U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Jackson. On February 8, 2018, agents were notified of six rifled Nielsen Rating envelopes that were returned to Nielsen Ratings from the distribution center. Nielson Media Research mails letters and flat sized envelopes to households that participate in surveys in exchange for U.S. currency. On February 15, 2018, using mail pieces and currency provided by Nielsen Ratings, test pieces containing U.S. currency were placed in the prepping area to be processed by the Tour 3 mail handlers, including Walker. Using video surveillance, agents observed Walker open at least one of the test pieces and place something in her pocket. When confronted, Walker admitted she had been rifling Nielson Ratings mail pieces for approximately six months. Agents recovered all the currency from Walker’s wallet and pocket that had been taken from the test pieces.

Walker is currently released on bond and will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee on February 28, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie.