A postal worker stationed at a Marietta mail facility stands charged on multiple counts after a probe unearthed alleged mail tampering and theft, particularly targeting greeting cards for their enclosed gift cards and cash, according to investigations by Cobb County Police and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Isis Hinson of Acworth, resigned in light of the allegations.
The inquiry initiated on October 29 when a letter carrier stumbled upon a spate of opened greeting cards clustered around Acworth mailboxes, these findings raising a flag due to their lack of postmarks which suggested premature removal; subsequent USPS-OIG and police work pointed towards Hinson, with a test envelope — planted inside the Marietta East Cobb Station containing a $10 Walmart gift card — reportedly being later used by Hinson for Apple purchase, according to a FOX 5 Atlanta report.
As the depth of the allegations widened, Hinson was charged with theft by taking and possession of stolen mail, and while CBS News Atlanta confirmed she is not currently in custody, the extent of her alleged span of mail exploitation is pinned between October 2 and December 11. Further revelation from the police investigation into her activities found nine additional greeting cards inside Hinson’s vehicle, with a warrant disclosing her admission to having eight stolen gift cards from deliveries assigned to the East Cobb Road post office.
Cobb County Police stress the risks of mailing valuables, putting forth the stance that sending gift cards or cash through mail systems isn’t without its potential pitfalls. "If anyone is going to send gift cards or cash through the mail, it's not recommended because anyone can intercept them. G, once they're intercepted, almost anyone can use them," Sgt. Eric Smith articulated in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta; additionally, USPS-OIG also voices significance on mail theft issues, urging the public towards prudence when conveying items of monetary value, especially in high-traffic times like the holiday season. USPS-OIG offers assistance through their Complaint Line at (888) 877-7644 for those suspecting they’ve been targeted by mail theft.
