Stacey Jepson, a former janitorial contractor at the Bayfield Post Office, was sentenced to five years of probation Monday after she pleaded guilty in February to one count of mail theft.
“I’m deeply, deeply sorry for everything I’ve done,” Jepson told Chief Judge Marcia Krieger in U.S. District Court in Durango.
Krieger said there were between 50 and 250 victims of the thefts. On Nov. 13, 2014, she was charged with three counts of obstruction of the mail and one count of mail theft. Sources close to the investigation said she was taking cash and gift cards from the mail in 2014.
Jepson could have been sentenced up to six months in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Norvell had originally requested that she serve 30 days in prison, but he reduced his request to two weeks because she has taken responsibility for her actions.
In addition to probation and a felony record, Krieger said Jepson must undergo mental-health treatment “as long as the provider thinks it is necessary.”
Krieger said the terms of probation include no federal, state or local criminal activity, no firearms, and no controlled substances, including marijuana or medical marijuana.
Jepson could have faced a fine of up to $10,000, but Krieger said she wouldn’t impose one because Jepson lacked the ability to pay it. She does have to pay a court-mandated fee of $100.
As one of the conditions of her plea agreement, Jepson can appeal the sentence within 14 days.