BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Christopher Porter, 37, of Angola with two counts of theft of mail and six counts of delay of mail by a postal employee. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz T. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, in October 2021, and January 2022, Porter, a United States Postal Service employee in Angola, embezzled mail and stole gift cards included in the embezzled mail. In addition, on six separate occasions in March 2022, Porter opened mail, delaying its delivery.

Porter was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and released on conditions.

The indictment is a result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Modafferi.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.