A former postal worker faces federal charges of allegedly stealing mail containing electronic devices from a Kent priority mail processing facility and then selling the items.
Jamie Guhlke, 55, of Federal Way, pleaded not guilty to three counts of theft of mail by an officer or employee at her initial appearance on the indictment on April 16, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release. Her trial is scheduled in front of U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart on June 25.
According to records filed in the case, in 2015, while still employed as a mail handler at the United States Postal Service Priority Mail Annex in Kent, Guhlke stole as many as 44 packages mailed by an online electronics distributor to customers across the country.
The packages contained digital devices, including Apple iPads and Samsung Galaxy tablets. The thefts interfered with operations at the Priority Mail Annex, which is responsible for processing the vast majority of priority mail that originates in Washington state.
Law enforcement traced two of the devices to a local pawn shop, and determined that other items were sold via the online marketplace OfferUp. One additional device was found in Guhlke’s possession. When Guhlke left work on Aug. 27, 2015, her car was stopped by special agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Reportedly visible inside the car on the front passenger seat was the stolen device.
Following the traffic stop, the U.S. Postal Service fired Guhlke and barred her from postal service property.
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