Prosecutors say rent payments and money for a memorial plaque were among the cash allegedly intercepted at a Whitestone post office.
QUEENS, N.Y. – A U.S. Postal Service clerk entrusted with customers’ mail allegedly turned the Whitestone Post Office into her own payday, stealing money orders from envelopes and cashing more than $21,000 worth after forging signatures, Queens prosecutors said.
Jere Campbell, 44, of the Bronx, was arraigned Thursday on an 89-count indictment charging her with forgery, identity theft, grand larceny and other crimes. Prosecutors allege Campbell stole money orders while working as a clerk at the Whitestone Post Office and then cashed them at her own window.
The alleged victims included people trying to pay their rent, homeowners association fees and a deposit for a memorial plaque at a family gravesite. Campbell is accused of cashing $21,400 in money orders belonging to 10 people between February 2025 and May 2026.
Key Points
- Jere Campbell, 44, faces an 89-count indictment stemming from alleged mail theft at the Whitestone Post Office.
- Prosecutors say Campbell stole and cashed $21,400 in money orders belonging to 10 people.
- If convicted, Campbell faces up to five to 15 years in prison, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors Say Postal Clerk Rifled Through Customers’ Mail
The investigation began in December 2024 after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and USPS Office of Inspector General received complaints from customers about missing money orders. The Queens District Attorney’s Office joined the investigation the following month.
According to the charges, Campbell had access to the Whitestone Post Office distribution room, where prosecutors allege she opened envelopes arriving at the facility and searched them for money orders.
She allegedly pocketed the money orders and threw away the envelopes in some instances. In others, prosecutors contend she resealed empty envelopes so they continued to their intended recipients without the payments inside.
Campbell would then allegedly return to her postal window, forge the necessary signatures and cash the stolen money orders, according to the district attorney.
“As alleged, this U.S. Postal Service clerk was supposed to safeguard customers’ mail but instead stole more than $20,000 in money orders and used that money to line her own pockets,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Rent Money, HOA Fees and Memorial Payment Allegedly Taken
Prosecutors outlined several examples of payments allegedly intercepted during the scheme.
One person purchased three $1,000 money orders at a Bronx post office and mailed them to a landlord’s post office box in Whitestone, according to the charges. The $3,000 was allegedly cashed but never reached the landlord.
Another person mailed $3,000 in money orders to Florida for homeowners association fees. Prosecutors said the envelope arrived at its destination without the money orders inside, and Campbell allegedly cashed them.
A third victim purchased several money orders totaling $4,000 over a period of months for rent payments, prosecutors said. In March, the man allegedly bought another $2,000 in money orders at the Fresh Meadows Post Office and mailed them from Campbell’s window in Whitestone.
His landlord never received those payments, and prosecutors allege Campbell cashed all of the money orders.
Katz said another victim had purchased money orders to make a deposit on a memorial plaque for her parents’ grave.
Postal Worker Faces 89-Count Indictment
Campbell was arraigned on charges that include 15 counts of first-degree forgery, 15 counts of first-degree identity theft, 15 counts of second-degree identity theft, 23 counts of first-degree falsifying business records and multiple grand larceny charges.
The indictment also includes charges of scheme to defraud, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a forged instrument and petit larceny.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Leigh Cheng ordered Campbell to return to court Sept. 30. She faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The charges are allegations, and Campbell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our partners at USPS-OIG, are committed in our mission of protecting the U.S. Mail and the customers we serve,” USPIS New York Division Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward said.
Anyone who believes mail was stolen from the Whitestone Post Office can contact the Queens District Attorney’s Office at 718-286-6673. Suspected mail theft can also be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
How much money is the postal worker accused of stealing?
Prosecutors allege Campbell cashed $21,400 worth of money orders belonging to 10 people between Feb. 24, 2025, and May 12, 2026.
What charges does Jere Campbell face?
Campbell was arraigned on an 89-count indictment that includes forgery, identity theft, grand larceny, scheme to defraud, falsifying business records and other charges.
How much prison time could Campbell face if convicted?
The Queens District Attorney’s Office said Campbell faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted. She is due back in court Sept. 30.
Sources: Queens County District Attorney’s Office news release; 89-count indictment and investigation details described by prosecutors; U.S. Postal Inspection Service and USPS Office of Inspector General investigation.
