PORTLAND, Maine:  A Portland man employed by the U.S. Postal Service pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to theft of mail by an officer or employee.

According to court records, from February 2022 through May 2022, Andrew Fossett, 45, stole and destroyed mail to steal gift cards, scratch tickets and money. Video surveillance showed Fossett opening 128 envelopes, removing the contents from 12 envelopes and tearing up and throwing envelopes out of the postal vehicle 27 times. He also opened two parcels. Fossett admitted to the conduct during an interview and a search of his backpack and personal vehicle revealed two stolen gift cards and one stolen $5 scratch ticket.

Fossett faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, as well as up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated this case.