A former U.S. Postal Service employee has admitted to stealing gift cards from the mail, according to a court proceeding in Cape Girardeau. Joseph S. Wilkins, 56, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday in U.S. District Court for one count of embezzlement of mail by a postal service employee.
Wilkins confessed to taking approximately 10 to 12 gift cards from customers' mail over several months, specifically between December 2023 and April 2024. He used these cards for personal purchases amounting to about $500.
The investigation began when a Christmas card containing two Amazon gift cards was sent from California but never reached its intended destination in Cape Girardeau. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation that revealed Wilkins had used the stolen gift cards.
During an interview with investigators, Wilkins admitted to manipulating customer mail to find any enclosed gift cards.
Wilkins is set for sentencing on March 11, 2025. The charge he faces could result in up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton.