BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced that Melissa Olson, 45, of Randolph, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of mail by officer or employee, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated Olson was hired by the United States Postal Service in 2020 as a rural carrier associate assigned to the Randolph Post Office. According to the complaint, in May 2023, the USPS Office of Inspector General received information that a $200 Visa gift card was stolen from the mail.
At the time, USPS management believed Olson could be involved in the theft of the card, which was used at retail locations in the Randolph area. Subsequent investigation determined that Olson did in fact use the gift card to make purchases at the retail locations.
The complaint further states that in June 2023, Olson stole Walmart and Target gift cards included in a greeting card sent through the mail.