Miami, Fl. – A South Florida female who stole cash deposits from different retailers participating in the U.S. Postal Service Deposit by Mail program was sentenced today to five years’ probation, 180 days of home detention, and ordered to pay $49,235.42 in restitution.
According to court documents, Christina M. Bolden, 37, worked as a United States Postal Service rural carrier from October 9, 2015 to December 6, 2019. She collected cash deposits from the Vero Beach Outlet Mall from October 27, 2018 to July 5, 2019. In early July of 2019, the Outlet Mall was assigned to another mail carrier but still processed at the same post office. After receiving multiple mail theft complaints of cash deposits submitted by participating retailers located at the Outlet Mall, USPS OIG began conducting various surveillance operations at the Citrus Ridge Post Office. On October 28, 2019, and November 18, 2019, Bolden removed cash deposits from the Priority Mail hamper as she processed the mail from her assigned route. Bolden admitted to stealing these cash deposits and others. Bolden also relinquished $505.00 in cash deposits that she still had in her possession which she had stolen from May 28, 2019 through December 2, 2019.
In addition to imposing a five-year term of probation and 180 days of home detention electronic monitoring, Judge Kenneth A. Marra ordered Bolden to pay $49,235.42 to the retailers.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG), Southern Area Field Office, made the announcement.
“The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General did an excellent job uncovering and investigating this crime. Their work helped preserve the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service workforce and the public’s trust in the U.S. Postal Service,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and our other law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity of our federal agencies.”
“The vast majority of our Postal Service employees are honest, hardworking individuals who would never dream of violating the public trust in this manner,” said Special Agent in Charge Pierce. “An employee who decides otherwise, however, will be aggressively investigated by OIG special agents. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful partnership between the USPS OIG and U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue and prosecute employees involved in criminal activity.”
USPS OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana M. Acosta prosecuted it.
