California Woman Arrested For Theft Of Mail From U.S. Postal Service Vehicle

SAN JOSE – Paula Orozco was arrested and charged with mail theft, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Postal Inspector in Charge Rafael E. Nuñez, United States Postal Inspection Service.

According to an amended criminal complaint filed today, Orozco, 38, of San Jose, Calif., is alleged to have stolen mail from a U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) mail delivery vehicle in San Jose. As detailed in the complaint, the burglary from the delivery vehicle took place on April 18, 2020, and was reported four days later, when a victim reported fraudulent charges on a debit card that was in the mail on April 18. Postal inspectors reviewed surveillance footage from a location where a fraudulent charge occurred and identified Orozco in the footage. On May 13, 2020, a witness reported another break in to a USPS mail delivery vehicle in San Jose. Postal inspectors responded to the report and identified and detained Orozco in the immediate area of the burglary.

The complaint charges Orozco with mail theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1708.

Orozco’s initial appearance took place on May 14, 2020, before the Honorable Susan van Keulen, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Her next appearance is scheduled for May 19, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.

Criminal complaints merely allege that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted on the possession of mail theft, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Ewenstein is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Morgan Byrne. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.