SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Monroe County man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Scranton, before Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to the charge of theft of mail.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Jacob Tanner, age 29, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, admitted to stealing mail in the Stroudsburg area in 2014.  The thefts were discovered after a number of Stroudsburg residents complained about missing, torn or discarded mail.  Tanner was observed on surveillance video removing mail from a mailbox outside a residence in Stroudsburg.  Postal Authorities later apprehended Tanner in possession of stolen mail in December 2014.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Postal Inspection Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim or have further information should contact Postal Inspector David Heinke, United States Postal Service, at 877-876-2455

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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