Press Release
Former Postal Employee Sentenced for Stealing Items from the Mail
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia
Michelle Spinner, 56, of Big Island, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to a period of probation of two years and ordered to pay $2,603 in restitution. Spinner previously pleaded guilty to a one count Information charging her with theft of mail matter by an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service.
According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day, Spinner worked as a mail-processing clerk at the Roanoke Processing and Distribution Center. She began working for the USPS in 2005.
In January 2015, The United States Postal Service- Office of the Inspector General began an investigation into the handling of mail at the processing and distribution center after receiving complaints from customers about mail being “rifled.”
During the course of the investigation, video cameras captured Spinner working on a flat sorter on several occasions. While working on the flat sorter, Spinner could be seen pausing on certain pieces of mail and spending an extended period with her hands deep in a container. On occasion, video captured Spinner opening mail, removing cash and placing the cash in her pocket.
In all, Spinner stole a total of $2,603 in cash from mail at the processing center.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Postal Service-Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.
Updated October 13, 2017
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