BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Nichole Crosson, 22, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to opening mail without lawful authority. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Fabian, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, a former United States Postal Service mail carrier, opened mail and removed gift cards and cash while working as a mail carrier. For instance, Crosson removed $50 in cash from a greeting card intended for delivery to a resident in West Seneca, NY in April 2016. Between Jan. 1, 2016 and April 15, 2016, the defendant removed cash and gift cards totaling $1,729.21 from a number of mailings.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler, Eastern Area Field Office, Philadelphia, PA., with the assistance of the Eden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael J. Felschow.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Roemer.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
