SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A former U.S. Postal Service employee has been indicted on multiple felony charges after prosecutors alleged she stole gift cards, lottery tickets and other mail from the Oakdale Post Office before using one of the stolen gift cards on a shopping spree.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, 36-year-old Jovanni Jamison-Lewis of Mastic Beach was arraigned Wednesday following an indictment charging her with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and related offenses stemming from an investigation that began in November 2025.
Investigators say mail was opened inside post office
Prosecutors allege Jamison-Lewis was working as a clerk at the Oakdale Post Office on Nov. 19, 2025, when she removed two sealed envelopes from an outgoing mail bin and opened them.
One envelope allegedly contained a greeting card with a T.J. Maxx gift card valued at $175, while the second contained a greeting card with three New York Lottery scratch-off tickets. Authorities said she removed the contents, placed the empty greeting cards back into the envelopes and returned them to the outgoing mail stream.
- Prosecutors have identified seven victims since the investigation began.
- Investigators allegedly recovered 24 pieces of stolen mail.
- Authorities said gift cards totaling approximately $800 were recovered during the investigation.
The following day, surveillance video allegedly captured Jamison-Lewis using the stolen T.J. Maxx gift card at a Port Jefferson Station store, where prosecutors said she purchased clothing, jewelry, a handbag and reusable shopping bags.
Search warrants uncovered additional stolen mail
Jamison-Lewis was arrested on Nov. 24, 2025, by investigators from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office working alongside agents from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
According to prosecutors, investigators found four pieces of stolen mail inside her pocketbook at the time of her arrest and recovered merchandise allegedly purchased with the stolen gift card.
Court-authorized search warrants executed at her home and vehicle later resulted in the recovery of 20 additional pieces of allegedly stolen mail, including several gift cards with a combined value of about $800, authorities said.
Jamison-Lewis resigned from the U.S. Postal Service on Dec. 1, 2025.
District Attorney Tierney said investigators have identified seven victims whose gift cards and lottery tickets were allegedly stolen from the mail stream.
“The integrity of our mail system is fundamental to the trust and security of every resident in this community,” Tierney said. “This defendant is alleged to have systematically removed cards containing gifts from the mail stream, turning expressions of generosity and goodwill into opportunities for theft.”
Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the USPS Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Area Field Office, said the agency remains committed to investigating crimes that undermine public confidence in the Postal Service.
The charges against Jamison-Lewis are accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What is the defendant accused of stealing?
Prosecutors allege Jovanni Jamison-Lewis stole gift cards, greeting cards, lottery scratch-off tickets and additional mail from the outgoing mail stream at the Oakdale Post Office.
How many victims have been identified?
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, investigators have identified seven victims since the defendant’s arrest in November 2025.
Who investigated the case?
The investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
Sources: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General
