Jennings Woman Sentenced for Mail Theft by USPS Employee

 A woman was sentenced in federal court today after stealing cash and hydrocodone tablets from packages while working for the U.S. Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Jennifer Louise Bruce, 44, of Jennings, received a sentence of three years of probation from Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell. Bruce was convicted of mail theft after stealing hydrocodone tablets from packages mailed by a VA Medical Center and Outpatient Clinics on several different occasions and stealing cash from cards that had been mailed through the Postal Service.

“Abusing a position of trust within the U.S. Postal Service for the purpose of stealing drugs and money undermines the public’s trust in an essential government service. Jennifer Bruce violated the sanctity of the mail by corruptly acting for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

In her plea agreement, Bruce admitted to stealing money from cards and controlled substances from packages that had been mailed. She stated that during this time, she was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a Sales and Services Associate. Over a four-month period, Bruce admitted that she stole a total of 240 hydrocodone tablets.

The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph F. Wilson, now retired, and Kevin C. Leitch prosecuted the case.