Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of mail matter by postal service employee, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Frank J. Rysz, 49, of Latrobe, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, Rysz, while employed as a mail carrier in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., engaged in the theft of three first class letters and their valuable contents from the U.S. mails. Rysz also took one department store advertisement from the U.S. mails.

Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for Nov. 12, 2015 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence 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 Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frank J. Rysz.