Investigative News Releases

Working with our Law Enforcement Partners

Our special agents investigate nationwide internal crimes and fraud committed by postal employees and contractors as well as postal employee misconduct. We work with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and local prosecutors across the country to prosecute these crimes.

In some instances, we uncover much larger criminal activity being carried out by multiple individuals and organizations. In many of these cases, we partner with other federal and local law enforcement agencies to identify and hold responsible those who take advantage of the public’s trust in our postal system.

Below are links to the most recent news releases about our work.

New Haven Cocaine Trafficker Pleads Guilty

Date Released: 11/15/2022

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE L. GERENA, 33, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a...

Clearfield County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges in DEA-Led Investigation

Date Released: 11/14/2022

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Woodland, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to violation of federal narcotics and firearms laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Cindy Chung announced today. Justin Zeruth, age 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possesses with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a...

USPS Mail Carrier Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Customers

Date Released: 11/10/2022

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...

Lynn Man Sentenced for Mail Theft

Date Released: 11/09/2022

BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing money from the mail. Juan Murillo, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $2,400. On Aug. 9, 2022, Murillo pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office...

Lowell Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Bribe Supervisor to Divert Packages of Cocaine

Date Released: 11/02/2022

BOSTON – A Lowell postal worker pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to attempting to bribe a postal supervisor and sell them cocaine. John Noviello, of Nashua, N.H., 61, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official and one count of distribution of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Feb. 14, 2023. Noviello was charged on May 11, 2022. Noviello was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Lowell. On Feb. 15, 2022, Noviello...