A U.S. Postal Service seasonal employee, Willie Estrella, 32, from Providence, has been sentenced to three years of federal probation for his involvement in a scheme to steal mail contents during the 2023 holiday season. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Estrella had pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to steal mail and theft of mail by a postal employee. According to court documents and information presented in court, Estrella and accomplices sorted through mail at the Providence distribution facility. They set aside brightly colored envelopes and concealed them in backpacks before leaving the facility. After work, they would meet at a predetermined location to open the stolen mail and divide cash, gift cards, and checks among themselves.
This activity took place multiple times per week throughout December 2023. During this period, $95,000 in cash, gift cards, and checks were stolen from the U.S. mail stream by Estrella and others.
Charges are pending against five other former postal employees in U.S. District Court.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. White. The investigation was conducted by the U.S Postal Service Office of Inspector General with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Providence Police Department, and Smithfield Police Department.
The public is encouraged to report mail theft through various channels provided by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.