A postal employee who stole a package of rare coins and other mail has been given probation, but she was ordered to make restitution of $11,481.25.
Claudia Orr appeared before Judge Sandy Mattice.
Judge Mattice noted that the coins were valued at $7,500, but Ms. Orr pawned them for $250.
She will be on supervised probation for three years.
Her attorney, Myrlene Marsa, said the theft was abnormal conduct for Ms. Orr.
She said she is the sole caregiver for her ailing mother.
Postal agents had developed information that an employee at a post office in Chattanooga had been stealing mail and packages.
A postal service customer complained that he had not received a parcel, which contained collectibles, and had been sent by registered mail.The customer was anticipating receiving the registered mail parcel in June, 2014.
After an initial investigation, agents narrowed their focus to the defendant. Agents learned that the stolen collectibles had been sold at two different pawn shops. Upon interviewing employees at the pawn shops, agents focused their attention on the defendant as a suspect.
Agents performed a trash pull at Ms. Orr's residence and found several pieces of discarded mail that was not addressed to the defendant.
A search of the Orr residence revealed more stolen mail in the defendant’s possession. The defendant was then interviewed by the agents. She subsequently confessed to stealing mail including the registered mail parcel containing the rare coins.
Ms. Orr said she had been stealing mail for approximately one year.