Former Postal Employee Sentenced for Burglarizing a Local Post Office and Stealing the Mail

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Postal Employee living in Springfield, Mo., area, was sentenced for his burglary of a local post office building and theft of mail matter.

Zachary M. Walker, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment for his burglary of a local post office building and his theft of mail matter.

On July 24, 2024, inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted an undercover operation that included the placement of a secret camera within a local post office building. Law enforcement had learned that a former U.S. Postal employee, Walker, had been burglarizing the local post office building, entering the building after hours, and stealing various items from storage bins within the post office. Walker used his knowledge of postal procedures, and a code to an exterior passcode doorway lock, that allowed him to enter the post office after hours. Walker, familiar with the storage of mail matter within the post office, targeted specific mail bins to steal valuable items being shipped with the U.S. Postal Service. In total, Walker stole $2,100 in property from various mail matter bins.

Walker was also sentenced to pay restitution in the amount of $2,100, a final order of forfeiture was also entered by the Court for $2,100, and he was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release upon his completion of his term of imprisonment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department.