CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John Wiedenhofer, Jr., 49, of Fredonia, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to theft of mail by a postal employee, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that between September 2020, and February 2021, Wiedenhofer, while employed as a carrier by the United States Postal Service in Dunkirk, NY, stole mail. The USPS began an investigation involving the defendant after receiving complaints of missing mail items and opened and rifled packages from USPS customers, whose addresses were located on Wiedenhofer’s delivery route. Wiedenhofer admits to stealing various items including cash, checks, trading cards, gift cards, and clothing items. Evidence of these items were recovered by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General from Wiedenhofer’s personal residence and vehicle.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Modafferi.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 25, 2023, before Judge Sinatra.
# # # #