Former Indiana Postal Clerk Indicted For Theft of Nearly $14,000
INDIANAPOLIS – Tamara R. Barnett, 39, Indianapolis, was charged late yesterday with misappropriation of postal funds, following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General.
The indictment alleges that Barnett stole postal funds by manipulating the retail sales system in a manner that resulted in cash overages that she subsequently converted to her own use.
It also alleged that Barnett stole portions of the cash intended for daily bank deposits. The total value of the theft alleged is nearly $14,000.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Brant Cook, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Barnett faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An initial
hearing will be scheduled before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Pennsylvania Postal Clerk Charged With Taking $5.00 Cash, Lottery Tickets
Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 13, 2010, that Jason E. Svencer of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of theft of mail by a postal employee.
The one-count indictment named Svencer, age 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on February 4, 2010, Svencer, a United States Postal Service mail processing clerk, took two pieces of first-class mail (greeting cards) addressed to two different individuals containing $5.00 in currency and four Pennsylvania lottery scratch-off tickets.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Postal Service/Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Postal Employee Indicted For Cashing More Than $41,000 In Money Orders
Press Release from US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota
A United States Postal Service (“USPS”) employee was indicted in federal court for allegedly stealing and cashing approximately 80 money orders totaling more than $41,000 for her personal use. The indictment, which was filed with the U.S. District Court earlier today, charges Linda Kay Johnson, age 60, of Lewisville, with one count of fraudulently issuing money orders and one count of false entries and reports of money.
The indictment alleges Johnson issued the money orders from August 9, 2008, through December 4, 2008. In addition, it alleges she deceived the USPS by making false entries in the office books to cover up the loss.
If convicted, Johnson faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the false entries count and five years on the fraudulently issuing money orders count. All sentences are determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika R. Mozangue.
An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been
committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven
guilty at trial.