“Porch Pirate” Heads to Federal Prison for Stealing Packages

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 38-year-old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possessing stolen mail, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick along with Postal Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Christopher Escobedo pleaded guilty March 29, 2018.

Today, U.S. Circuit Judge Gregg Costa, sitting by designation, handed Escobedo a 36-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that the four counts of conviction represented only those mail theft victims with camera surveillance on their porches and that Escobedo undoubtedly had numerous additional victims.

“As a result of investigative efforts, the sentence handed down in this case will send a clear message to mail thieves that they will be vigorously pursued and brought to justice. I  commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by the USPIS and Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of this individual,” said Gonzalez. “An important part of the USPIS mission is to ensure public trust in the mail and to defend the nation’s mail system from illicit financial gain.”

At the time of his plea, Escobedo admitted to stealing packages that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) had left on the front porches of Corpus Christi residents between Dec. 31, 2017, and Jan. 8, 2018. Authorities identified Escobedo or his vehicle in video surveillance at a number of locations where packages were stolen. On one occasion, an observant neighbor confronted Escobedo as he attempted to take a package. The neighbor was able to supply the authorities with Escobedo’s description and a license plate number of the vehicle he was using. Postal inspectors used this information to track down Escobedo and link him to a number of other package thefts in the area. 

Escobedo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The USPIS conducted the investigation with the assistance of CCPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting the case.