A former U.S. Postal Service carrier in Georgia has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for stealing more than $1 million in checks and gift cards from mail on her route, federal prosecutors said.
Melissa McAfee, 44, pleaded guilty in May to possession of stolen mail and received her sentence this week. She will also serve two years of supervised release and must pay restitution, though the amount has not been disclosed.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, McAfee delivered packages in the Smyrna area near Atlanta from August 2022 to September 2024. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General launched an investigation after customers on her route reported missing mail.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage that implicated McAfee, according to the DOJ. A search of her home turned up envelopes containing stolen mail, 145 checks, and 37 gift cards. In total, authorities determined she had stolen 171 checks worth more than $1,035,000.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to anyone who thinks mail theft and check fraud will go unpunished,” said Jonathan Ulrich, Special Agent in Charge of the USPS OIG. “Our special agents, along with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes.”
The case is part of a broader crackdown on mail theft and check fraud in Georgia. In May, the DOJ announced charges against two other former postal carriers, a former Georgia bank manager, and a convicted felon in an alleged multimillion-dollar mail theft and bank fraud scheme.
Mail theft has become a growing concern nationwide, with criminals increasingly targeting carriers for their keys and using stolen checks to commit fraud. The USPS has stepped up efforts to protect mail carriers and investigate thefts, but challenges remain.
McAfee’s sentencing comes amid heightened political scrutiny of crime and public safety in Georgia, a key battleground state. Lawmakers and candidates have debated issues ranging from immigration enforcement to political rhetoric, but mail theft has also drawn attention as a quality-of-life issue.
Experts warn that check fraud schemes can have devastating financial impacts on victims, and they urge residents to monitor their mail closely and report any suspicious activity to the USPS OIG.
