Postal Carrier Charged With Stealing From Mail

PITTSBURGH - A Leetsdale, Pa., woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of theft of mail by postal employee, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned on Feb. 18, named Michelle M. Frizzell, 44, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Frizzell, being an employee of the United States Postal Service, did steal, abstract and remove gift cards from greeting cards on two separate occasions. In addition, she was also charged with embezzling a greeting card on another occasion.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for each count of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.