Seven Individuals Charged in Postal Employee Theft Ring

Seven Individuals Charged in Postal Employee Theft Ring

Seven individuals, all former or current employees of the U.S. Postal Service, have been charged in federal court with conspiracy and theft of mail for their alleged participation in an alleged mail theft ring spanning from early 2023 through the beginning of 2024, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Six of seven individuals were arrested Wednesday; a seventh defendant was charged earlier this month.  

All seven men were employed at the Processing and Distribution Center at 24 Corliss Street in Providence. One of the men charged was a supervisor at the distribution center.

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“The misuse of public employment for private gain is both a serious crime and profound breach of the public trust,” commented U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “The arrests and charges we announce today should send a clear message that those who engage in public corruption for personal gain will be held accountable.”

About Case

According to charging documents, in March 2023, customers began reporting that mail was either not delivered or delivered without its contents. An investigation by, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General identified a group of employees, including a supervisor, who are alleged to have worked together to sort, separate, and conceal selected mail that they believed to contain cash, checks, or gift cards. 

At the end of their shift, the mail would be removed surreptitiously from distribution center, usually in a backpack carried by a member of theft ring. The group gathered after their shifts ended and opened the stolen mail, sorting out gift cards, cash, and checks to distribute amongst themselves. During the course of the investigation, it is alleged that one defendant was caught with a backpack of stolen mail that included over $1.3 million worth of checks.

Charged in U.S. District Court in Providence with conspiracy to steal mail and theft of mail by a postal employee are Darren Camacho, 30, of Providence; Fernando Camacho, 28, of Providence; Willie Estrella, 31, of Providence; Ryan Lee, 43, of Cranston; Cyril Murray, 44, of Pawtucket (employed as a supervisor); Angel Rivera, 27, of Providence; and Andre Williams, 31, of North Providence. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mail Theft Hotline

The public can report mail theft by contacting the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-888-USPS-OIG (1-888-877-7644; online at www.uspsoig.gov/hotline; via email at [email protected]; or by mail at USPS OIG, Attn: OIG Hotline, 1735 North Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209-2020.