NORFOLK, Va. — When you send mail through the U.S. Postal Service, you expect it to be delivered. However, in all too many cases, mail is stolen.

The WTKR News 3 investigative team continues to follow the issues with the US Postal Service. We have learned that a postal worker in Norfolk is now accused of stealing mail.

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An indictment says that in June and November 2023, Kiesha Brown, 32, allegedly stole a check from the mail. Then, in February 2024, she is accused of stealing and attempting to steal 28 pieces of mail.

The Office of the Inspector General investigates when postal workers get in trouble for stealing mail. They say these cases are rare, but there are a small number of people who abuse the public’s trust.

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Their semiannual report to Congress tracked data and other information from October 2023 through March 2024.

In that time frame, 193 arrests and 209 indictments were made. Federal officials said most of those cases involved a postal worker, but leaders of the Office of Inspector General point out that the number of arrests is a small fraction of the total number of employees, which is about 636,000.

Legal analyst Sonny Stallings said mail theft of any kind is a problem, especially this time of year.

“There’s an election coming up and now, we’re hearing about people stealing things from the post office,” Stallings said. “It’s very discouraging … It’s a position of trust and you’re taking something that’s been entrusted to you to be delivered to the United States Postal Service. You should see the inside of a federal penitentiary if you are guilty.”

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Brown faces three counts of mail theft.

The USPS said she no longer works there, but was employed as a letter carrier from March 2013 until February 2024.

Attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.

She is scheduled for a Nov. 6 arraignment in Norfolk Federal Court.