Investigative News Releases

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Marlene Cruz pleaded guilty to theft of mail matter by employee. In January 2022, USPS received complaints from individuals stating that their mail had been tampered with. Cruz worked the mail route involving the complaints. Cruz routinely opened envelopes and parcels, removing items on dozens of occasions. U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A former Anchorage USPS mail carrier was arrested yesterday in Missouri for allegedly stealing checks from the mail for personal gain. Nha Xiong, 25, altered bank checks, typically with Whiteout, and wrote his name on the checks, making it appear as if the checks were made out to him, then deposit the altered checks into his bank account. Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Bulle of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General made the announcement.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Danielle Gillam has been sentenced in federal court to two years of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics laws. Gillam was a narcotics distributor who obtained methamphetamine from Derek Hillebrand, which Gillam then redistributed. United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gillam.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Kristy Lepionka has been sentenced in federal court to five years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on her convictions for violating federal narcotics and firearms laws. Lepionka received parcels that were shipped from California to Pennsylvania containing methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lepionka.

In total, law enforcement seized from Rodriguez a total of $455,308.83 in cash and from a bank account, jewelry appraised at $509,045, a 2019 Polaris Slingshot, a 2013 BMW X6, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2020 Can Am Spyder Roadster, and a 2015 Toyota Sienna. The Task Force included members from the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General.