The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service have been working on the investigation for two months.

And now 30-year-old April Taylor is being charged with three counts of mail theft. Deputies say Taylor would take items such as gift cards out of the mail that she was delivering in Sopchoppy, Florida, and use them for herself.

"We were able to trace that card, when it was purchased, by whom and the date of purchase and they all have serial numbers on them. And it had been used at the Wakulla County Wal-Mart," said Detective Bruce Ashley with the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say Taylor admitted to another incident before this investigation began. However, detectives are still investigating to see if there are more cases. Taylor turned herself in Monday, September 14th, in Federal Court.

"It's not something we deal with everyday. We don't run into postal carriers diverting mail that often. It's the first of my knowledge in this area," said Detective Bruce Ashley with the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Release from the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office:

A two month joint investigation between the Criminal Investigation Division of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service has culminated in the arraignment of April Taylor. Information received by the agencies and investigated revealed Taylor, 30, was using her position as a mail carrier in Wakulla County to intercept personal mail and then used that mail for her own personal gain.

Testimony was provided to the Federal Grand Jury on September 9, 2009 in Leon County. An indictment was returned and Taylor turned herself in and appeared in Federal Court on Monday September 14, 2009. Taylor is charged with 3 counts of Mail Theft in violation of Title 18 United States Code. Detective Rob Giddens investigated.