Contract Mail Carrier Sentenced To Prison For Stealing And Opening Nearly 70 Pieces Of Mail
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — David Stephen Bangs II, 34, of Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced yesterday to six months in federal prison to be followed by one year of supervised release for stealing mail while employed as a contract mail carrier by the U.S. Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John D. Masters, Western Area Field Office, USPS Office of the Inspector General.
“Our office is proud to partner with the U.S. Postal Service to stop mail theft in our Nevada communities — including by holding accountable those who betray the public’s trust,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich.
Special Agent in Charge Masters said, “The American public trusts that U.S. Postal Service employees will obey the law and honor the commitment to their duties. When that duty and trust is violated, the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) investigates those matters. This sentencing sends a clear message that mail theft is a serious crime, which carries serious consequences. The USPS OIG, along the U.S. Attorney’s Office, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
On February 4, 2020, Bangs pleaded guilty to one count of mail theft before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro, who sentenced him.
According to court documents, from April 1, 2018 to August 7, 2019, Bangs performed contract delivery services for the U.S. Postal Service. In June 2019, customers in one neighborhood complained about missing or opened mail to the USPS OIG. Bangs was identified as the letter carrier for that area. The USPS OIG conducted a test on his route, and Bangs was found to have stolen money from the test letter. During an interview, Bangs admitted that, between February 2019 and August 2019, he targeted customer mail that he believed contained cash. He admitted to stealing mail from at least 67 victims.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the USPS OIG. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Robbins and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the case.
To report violations, employee misconduct, fraud, waste, abuse of authority, or theft involving U.S. Postal Service employees and contractors, please contact the USPS OIG Hotline at https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.
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