RICHMOND, VA – Wendy Lawrence, a former postal carrier with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in Richmond, has been sentenced to one year and one month in prison for theft of mail, as announced today.
According to court documents, 40-year-old Lawrence engaged in a scheme to steal mail, extracting gift cards, checks, and other valuable items for personal use. In addition to pilfering mail, she disposed of mail entrusted to her care. Law enforcement officers recovered stolen mail from Lawrence’s residence, identifying over 180 victims.
Lawrence used the stolen checks’ bank account and routing information to initiate electronic payments for personal expenses, including her tax bill, pest control services, and rent. In an attempt to extend and conceal her fraudulent activities, she filed a fraudulent address change with USPS to reroute a victim’s mail to her address. Investigators also found forged checks in Lawrence’s possession, issued in the names of at least 30 individuals, which she used for her own benefit.
Lawrence pled guilty to the charges on February 29.