WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CNN) — The United States Postal Service used a decoy to catch a postal worker who was stealing mail in Wisconsin.
The feds said more than 540 personal checks and more than 6,000 greeting card envelopes ranging from March 2017 to January 2018 were found in worker’s car, which was supposed to be destroyed at the wreck yard.
According to federal records, postal inspectors set up an FBI-style sting to catch Ebony Smith.
They marked a $20 bill and put it inside an envelope equipped with a transmitter that would send a signal once the envelope was opened. As soon as Smith opened it, investigators brought her in.
Records show Smith admitted to targeting two ZIP codes on her route: 53213 and 53226.
She told them she first stole $40 a week from the mail on her route and then $50 to $100 a week from the cards of her customers.
She said she used the money to take care of her children and to help pay bills.
The federal records do not say how much money Smith was able to steal, but she agreed to pay restitution when she is sentenced. That date has not been set.
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