Evergreen Reporter

A postal carrier from Granite City, Illinois, has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for stealing credit cards from the mail and using them for personal expenses. Lakeatra E. White, 32, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to theft of mail by a postal employee, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. In addition to her prison sentence, she will serve three years of supervised release and pay $15,209.11 in restitution.

"Mail carriers are entrusted public servants," stated U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to partner with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General to hold employees committing fraud accountable."

While working as a city carrier assistant at the Granite City Post Office, White stole several mail items containing gift cards and credit card information from customers on her route. Court documents revealed that she attempted nearly $27,000 in personal charges using stolen credit cards from two victims.

"This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents," said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop of the U.S. Postal Service's Office of Inspector General Central Area Field Office. He emphasized that most postal employees are dedicated public servants committed to delivering mail properly.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuting the case.