Former Oregon Postal Worker Sentenced for Stealing Cash and Gift Cards From Mail
A former U.S. Postal Service employee, who opened mail and stole money and gift cards while working at the post office in Hines, Oregon, was sentenced yesterday to 45 days in federal prison.
Patrick Wright (44), who lives in Burns, was ordered to pay R2,000 in restitution and will serve two years of supervised release.
Tidings Insight
Supervised release is court monitored time after prison. It does not replace the prison term, and violations can lead to more time in custody.
The thefts occurred over a six-month period from January to June in 2024.
Wright pleaded guilty to one count of mail theft by a postal employee after he was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 17, 2025.
Tidings Insight
Mail theft by a postal employee is a federal crime because USPS employees handle federally protected mail. The charge applies when an employee steals, opens or removes mail contents.
The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet.