Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A former United States Postal Service employee has admitted guilt in a federal court in Boston for charges related to mail theft and the theft of government funds. Michael Murray, aged 37 from Lynn, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft of mail matter by an employee and one count of theft of government money. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin has set the sentencing date for February 3, 2026. Murray was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.
Murray's criminal activities took place while he was employed as a postal clerk at the Beach Street Post Office in Revere and the Melrose Post Office between September 2022 and July 2023. During this period, he misused his position to steal contents from hundreds of pieces of mail, including gift cards, cash, and checks amounting to approximately $3,422. Additionally, from April to July 2023, Murray fraudulently generated USPS money orders intended for postal customers for his personal use totaling about $5,131.
The offense of theft of mail by an employee carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine that could reach $250,000. The charge concerning the theft of government funds over $1,000 could result in up to ten years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and another fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge at the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General for the Northeast Area Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao is handling the prosecution as Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.