Assistant U. S. Attorney Andrew Sherwood (619) 546-9690
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 9, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Breanna Wares pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting that she stole approximately $2,700 worth of gift cards, cash and jewelry from customers.
According to her plea agreement, Wares stole these items from approximately 20 customers along her route near Camp Pendleton at the Brooks Street Station in Oceanside. Most of the addresses on her route were located on the U.S. Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton and many of the victims were active members of the military.
A customer along Wares’ route reported that she mailed two gift cards to two different people and neither person received them. This report prompted agents from the Office of Inspector General to launch an investigation and discover that there were several other complaints of missing mail along Wares’ route.
Through the course of the investigation, agents determined that Wares unlawfully redeemed over 30 Target gift cards that had been placed in the mail, totaling more than $1,400. During a search of Ware’s personal vehicle, agents discovered more than 40 gift cards valued at more than $1,300. Agents also found sheets of stamps, jewelry, foreign currency, rifled and unrifled First Class Mail greeting card envelopes. Agents also found a Trader Joe’s gift card in Wares’ wallet.
When interviewed by agents from the Office of Inspector General, Wares admitted to stealing mail from customers for over a year.
Wares has agreed to pay restitution to her victims and a condition of her felony guilty plea is that she is prohibited from working in the mail, package, receipt and/or delivery industry.
“The defendant stole from those who entrusted their confidence in the delivery system,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with the U.S. Postal Service to protect the integrity of the system and bring justice to the victims of these crimes. Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General for their excellent work on this case.
“The U.S. Postal Service employs over 630,000 men and women who are dedicated public servants,” said U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Western Pacific Area Field Office, Executive Special Agent-in-Charge Glenn San Jose. “For over two centuries, the Postal Service has honored its fundamental commitment to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that theft of U.S. Mail, committed by a Postal Service employee, will not be tolerated. The public we serve can rest assured that the Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our partner law enforcement agencies, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr1465
Breanna Wares Age: 39 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Theft of Mail by Postal Employee – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1709
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General