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.

Citizen Of Dominican Republic Sentenced To 79 Months In Prison For $16 Million COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme

Date Released: 01/30/2024

Category: Financial Fraud

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that YOHAURIS RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ was sentenced to 79 months in prison in connection with her participation in a fraudulent scheme to obtain over $16 million in Government benefits intended to provide relief to individuals without employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Morris County Woman Admits Compensation Fraud

Date Released: 01/30/2024

Category: Health Care Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, woman employed by the U.S. Postal Service today admitted making false statements in several claim forms seeking disability compensation. Pamela VanSyckle, pleaded guilty to one count of federal employee compensation fraud. During the time in which she received disability benefits, VanSyckle was in fact working as the owner and operator of a travel agency. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector

Three Former Department of Homeland Security Employees Sentenced in Scheme to Defraud the United States

Date Released: 01/26/2024

Category: Cyber Crime

WASHINGTON – Three former federal employees were sentenced today for their roles in a conspiracy to steal proprietary software and sensitive law-enforcement databases from the U.S. government for use in a commercial venture. The sentencings were announced today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS-OIG); and Inspector General Tammy Hull of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG).

Great Falls woman sentenced for possessing stolen mail, wire fraud

Date Released: 01/25/2024

Category: Internal Mail Theft

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to possessing stolen mail and wire fraud while working as a postal service contract driver was sentenced today to three years of probation and ordered to pay $5,641 restitution. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

Two Men Sentenced on Federal Narcotics and Money Laundering Violations

Date Released: 01/18/2024

Category: Narcotics

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On January 17, 2024, George Charlan, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Derek Hillebrand, was sentenced to 18 years. Charlan orchestrated a shipment of over 500 lbs of narcotics from California and Nevada Pennsylvania. Hillebrand received and distributed at least 440 lbs of narcotics to his customers. Charlan had Hillebrand to send over $1 million from PA to CA, and the remaining profits to Charlan. USPS – Office of Inspector General assisted in the investigation.