A U.S. Postal Service seasonal employee, Willie Estrella, has been sentenced to three years of federal probation for his involvement in a mail theft scheme during the 2023 holiday season. Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the sentencing.
Estrella, 32, from Providence, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to charges of conspiracy to steal mail and theft of mail by a postal employee. U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy delivered the sentence.
Court documents reveal that Estrella and accomplices sorted through mail at the Providence distribution facility, setting aside brightly colored envelopes for theft. They concealed stolen items in backpacks and met at pre-determined locations after work to open the mail and divide cash, gift cards, and checks among themselves.
The scheme occurred multiple times weekly throughout December 2023, resulting in $95,000 being illegally removed from the U.S. mail stream by Estrella and others.
Charges are still pending against five other former postal employees involved in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. White is prosecuting these cases with investigations conducted by the U.S Postal Service Office of Inspector General alongside assistance from several local law enforcement agencies.
The public is encouraged to report any incidents of mail theft via various contact methods provided by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
