SAN JUAN, P.R. - On June 27, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned four separate indictments charging five individuals with several offenses against the United States by using the U.S. Mail, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez Vélez. These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) with the collaboration of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD).
The defendants and the charges they are facing are the following:
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Mary T. Rivera-Rivera, U.S. Postal Service employee, two counts for theft of mail and two counts for delay of mail.
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Yoel A. Escobales-Ramos, U. S. Postal Service Contractor, two counts for theft of mail and one count for obstruction of correspondence.
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Orlando Sánchez-Abreu, U.S. Postal Service employee, one count for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, one count for using the USPS Mail facilities to commit a felony, and one count for delay of mail.
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Ismael Berríos-Berríos, U.S. Postal Service employee, two counts for delay of mail; and Nicolás Padilla-Baez, facing one count for obstruction of correspondence.
“The US Attorney’s Office will continue to vigorously pursue those who utilize the U.S. Mail to commit federal offenses and steal other people’s mail," said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “Hopefully, the defendants recognize the severity of their actions and others will be discouraged from getting involved in these types of schemes, because we will continue prosecuting these crimes."
Eileen Neff, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General said: “Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General vigorously investigate and pursue the criminal prosecution of U.S. Postal Service employees and others who would defraud the U.S. Postal Service or utilize its services in their criminal schemes. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency for their assistance with our investigations."
Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Soto-Ortega is in charge of the prosecution of these cases. If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum penalty of 5 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000.00. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
