Seven charged in Providence postal employee theft ring

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said that seven current and former employees of the U.S. Postal Service were charged with conspiracy and theft of mail for their alleged participation in a mail theft ring.

30-year-old Darren Camacho, of Providence, 28-year-old Fernando Camacho, of Providence, 31-year-old Willie Estrella, of Providence, 43-year-old Ryan Lee, of Cranston, 44-year-old Cyril Murray, of Pawtucket, 27-year-old Angel Rivera, of Providence, and 31-year-old Andre Williams, of North Providence, were each charged with conspiracy to steal mail and theft of mail by a postal employee.

All seven employees worked at the Processing and Distribution Center on Corliss Street, and one of the men was a supervisor.

The U.S. attorney said the holiday season was a huge part of the scheme with these men allegedly stealing tons of gift cards, cash, and checks to backpacks and then taking that mail out of the building at the end of their shifts.

“When this occurs like the alleged crimes in this investigation, the special agents of the U.S. postal services office of inspector general will diligently work with police and the U.S. attorney to disrupt their criminal acts,” said U.S. postal service’s office of inspector general, Matt Modaferri.

One alleged member of the ring was found in possession with a backpack full of envelopes.

Cunha said that in March 2023 customers began reporting mail that was never delivered or was delivered without its contents.

The investigation found that a group of employees allegedly worked together to sort, separate, and conceal selected mail that they believed to contain cash, checks, or gift cards.

The group gathered after their shifts ended and sorted the mail.

“I want to reemphasize the need separate and a part from this case, to exercise prudence and caution when mailing valuables, particularly funds, in any form, to protect yourself from theft, said Cunha.

Cunha said that one of the suspects was allegedly caught with a backpack containing $1.3 million worth of checks.

“The misuse of public employment for private gain is both a serious crime and profound breach of the public trust,” Cunha said. “The arrests and charges we announce today should send a clear message that those who engage in public corruption for personal gain will be held accountable.”

The U.S. attorney’s office is encouraging anyone who thinks they are a victim of this mail theft ring to call the U.S. Mail hotline at 1-888-877-7644 or report the incident online here.