A former Kenner, Louisiana postal worker has been handed a sentence of one-year probation following a conviction for mail theft. David Rayford, 40, was sentenced last Thursday, as stated in an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. In addition to probation, Rayford has been ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee and $300 in restitution.
Contacted by a postal service customer who failed to receive a greeting card that was sent to him, the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, began an investigation. The card, containing a Navy Federal Credit Union Visa gift card and cash, was mailed in early May of 2021. Rayford, who was responsible for delivering mail on that route, used the stolen gift card at a Walmart, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office announcement. The family member who sent the card provided a receipt for the gift card purchase, which assisted in the investigation.
In a case that brings to light the breach of trust placed in those who deliver our personal correspondences, the investigation by the Postal Service Office of Inspector General led to Walmart Global Investigations identifying two purchases made with the stolen Visa gift card by Rayford. Sentencing for this kind of violation is intended to signal the seriousness of intercepting personal mail—an act that infringes upon our rights to privacy and reliable communication.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit. The theft, breaching the trust of the public and exploitation of a position meant to safeguard postal customers' private correspondences, were investigated thoroughly, as Rayford's actions stand in stark opposition to the responsibilities of a postal worker. "Mail Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709" was the official charge, assistant U.S. Attorney Guice detailed in the proceedings that led to Rayford's sentence of probation, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
