Ex-Saugus postal worker gets probation for stealing mail containing gift cards and cash

  A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who worked in Saugus for nearly two decades has received a year of probation after admitting to stealing mail from town residents containing gift cards and cash. U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf also ordered Brian Thibodeau, 49, of Danvers, to pay a fine of $7,500 and restitution in the amount of $175.

  Back in August, Thibodeau pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Beginning in 2001, Thibodeau worked as a letter carrier in the Saugus Post Office. In 2020, Thibodeau stole customers’ gift cards sent in the mail and spent them for his personal use. Thibodeau admitted to stealing about $2,000 worth of gift cards from postal customers on his route last year.

  Thibodeau could have received a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater; and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

  Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and the Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, Matthew Modafferi, made the announcement last week. The Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, prosecuted the case.