SAN DIEGO – Former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Breanna Wares pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting that she stole approximately $2,700 worth of gift cards, cash and jewelry from customers.

According to her plea agreement, Wares stole these items from approximately 20 customers along her route near Camp Pendleton at the Brooks Street Station in Oceanside. Most of the addresses on her route were located on the U.S. Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton and many of the victims were active members of the military.

When interviewed by agents from the Office of Inspector General, Wares admitted to stealing mail from customers for over a year.

“The U.S. Postal Service employs over 630,000 men and women who are dedicated public servants,” said U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Western Pacific Area Field Office, Executive Special Agent-in-Charge Glenn San Jose. “For over two centuries, the Postal Service has honored its fundamental commitment to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that theft of U.S. Mail, committed by a Postal Service employee, will not be tolerated. The public we serve can rest assured that the Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our partner law enforcement agencies, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”