Buffalo man pleads guilty to illegally possessing postal keys

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Fortino Pilier, 28, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of a postal service key which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on October 23, 2024, Pilier was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies. During the traffic stop, Pilier fled from the vehicle and deputies pursued and arrested him. After he was arrested, Pilier was searched, and two United States Postal arrow keys were found in his pocket. An arrow key can be used to open authorized mail receptacles owned by the Postal Service. Pilier admitted that he planned to use the arrow keys to unlawfully access mail receptacles.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 14, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.

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