Former Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID RAYFORD ("RAYFORD"), age 40, of Kenner, La., pled guilty on July 9, 2024, to Mail Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709. His sentencing is set for October 8, 2024.

According to court records , on June 14, 2021, a Postal Service customer, contacted the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General to report non-delivery of a greeting card that was sent to his address. The card was sent by a family member, in early May, 2021. The family member advised that she mailed a Navy Federal Credit Union Visa gift card and cash to the victim and was able to provide a receipt for the purchase of the gift card.

RAYFORD, was an employee of the United States Postal Service and the postman on the route on which the card was stolen. RAYFORD used the stolen Navy Federal Credit Union Visa gift card at Walmart. Walmart Global Investigations identified two purchases utilizing the Navy Federal Credit Union Visa gift card made by RAYFORD.

RAYFORD faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years of imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, for the theft of mail.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.