A postal worker faces a state jail felony charge after League City police and federal investigators say he stole mail from at least 10 addresses.
Richard Ybanez, 46, of Bacliff, was taken into custody Thursday, Aug. 20, at approximately 3:22 p.m. in the parking lot of a convenience store in the 1600 block of West League City Parkway, according to the League City Police Department. Ybanez is a USPS employee.
The department's Special Investigations Unit began working with agents from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General around Aug. 13 after receiving information about suspected mail theft involving Ybanez, according to the Galveston Daily News.
The charge
Ybanez has been charged with mail theft of 10–30 items, a state jail felony under Texas Penal Code §31.20. The charge means investigators believe mail from at least 10 but fewer than 30 separate addressees was taken. A state jail felony carries 180 days to two years in a state jail facility.
His bond was set at $5,000. As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Ybanez was being held at the League City Jail.
What police haven't said
LCPD has not disclosed what type of mail was allegedly stolen, where the suspected thefts occurred or how investigators first became aware of the allegations, KGTX 7 News reported. The investigation remains ongoing, and police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The department credited the partnership with the USPS OIG, saying joint efforts like this one help identify and address criminal activity affecting the League City community.
How to report mail theft
Residents who suspect a USPS employee of stealing or tampering with mail can contact the USPS Office of Inspector General at 1-888-877-7644 or file a complaint online at uspsoig.gov/hotline. Mail theft by someone other than a postal employee can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or at mailtheft.uspis.gov.
No court date has been announced.
