Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Mail

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Chansen Diaz, 30, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal mail before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that Diaz was employed by a U.S. Postal Service contractor at the Greater Rochester International Airport. While performing his job, the defendant conspired with two other individuals, co-defendants Cordell James and Michael Harris, to steal gift cards and cash from the mail. The three men then used the stolen items to finance their lifestyles.

Charges remain pending against Cordell James and Michael Harris. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the result of a joint investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kenneth Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, Pittsburgh, PA, and Inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.