Laws Concerning Mail Theft
Theft of U.S. Mail is defined as stealing mail from a postal employee or contractor, or from any mailbox, U.S. Mail vehicle, mail contractor’s vehicle, postal air or land shipment, or U.S. Post Office, according to the USPS.com website. Mail theft is a federal felony under Section 1705 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, punishable by two to five years in a federal prison. Mail theft also is a crime under state laws in California, Minnesota, Oregon and Utah.
Other People Are Reading
-
Mail Theft Investigation
-
Mail theft is investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, an agency charged with protecting the U.S. Postal Service, securing the nation’s mail system and ensuring public trust in the U.S. Mail, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website. The Postal Inspection Service, founded in 1830, is one of the oldest federal law enforcement services.
2,150-Member Force
-
The agency includes 1,500 postal inspectors who conduct investigations and a 650-member uniformed, armed Postal Police Force that provides security for critical mail-processing facilities and high-value mail shipments. The agency also operates its own forensic laboratory to analyze evidence.
-
Armed Police Force
-
Postal inspectors and postal police comprise an armed security force with full powers to arrest perpetrators of any crimes against the U.S. Postal Service or its employees. The Postal Inspection Service also has authority to investigate and arrest anyone who uses the U.S. Mail to perpetrate frauds, steal identities, ship illegal or dangerous goods, launder illicit money or commit any other crime. Cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Why Steal Mail?
-
People and businesses use the U.S. Postal Service to ship all sorts of valuables, including credit and debit cards, checks, securities and merchandise, which makes the mail a tempting target for thieves. In 2009, the Postal Service moved 177 billion pieces of mail. The Postal Inspection Service in 2009 made 7,000 arrests, with roughly 3,500 of those arrests for mail theft.
Equipment Thefts
-
Mail theft includes theft of mail transportation equipment such as vehicles, pallets, hampers and tubs. In 2009, the Postal Inspection Service recovered $2.1 million worth of stolen mail transportation equipment.
-
References
- Photo Credit american Mail box and freeway sign image by Ashle Whittle from Fotolia.com
