ROCKFORD — A McHenry woman was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for theft from the U.S. mail.

JENNIFER L. DUNCAN, 51, a former U.S. Postal worker, was charged in a one-count indictment. As alleged in the indictment, on Feb. 20, 2018, Duncan removed approximately $3,500 from mail addressed to an individual in Tennessee.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Jeff Arney, assistant special agent in charge and public information officer for the Great Lakes Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, said the investigation began in March when the postmaster reported missing parcels. Arney said Duncan was quickly suspected of being involved. She was interviewed and advised she was being investigated and put on unpaid administrative leave pending results of the investigation. She resigned in May, he said. She is accused of stealing about $3,500 in cash from an envelope addressed to someone in Tennessee, he said. Arney said Duncan had worked at the counter of the McHenry branch since 2007 as a sales and support associate. He said she had access to every piece of mail coming in and out of the office.

Mail theft carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison, a period of supervised release of up to three years following imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and full restitution. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. Duncan will be arraigned on a date yet to be determined in U.S. District Court in Rockford.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Scott Caspall, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Great Lakes Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Source: Former Postal Employee Indicted for Theft from U.S. Mail | USAO-NDIL | Department of Justice