Postal Inspector Indicted For Possession Of Stolen Mail

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A federal grand jury in San Jose returned a three-count indictment against Quan Pham Howard, 51, of San Jose, charging him with possession of stolen U.S. mail, delay and destruction of U.S. mail, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Howard was a Supervisory Postal Inspector working at the San Jose Processing and Distribution Center. On June 26, 2014, following an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at his house and office, Howard was arrested and charged with theft of mail.

According to the indictment, between April 9, 2012, and June 25, 2014, Howard unlawfully opened and secreted United States mail intended for various victims and including, among other things, quantities of prescription drugs.  The indictment charges him with possessing a variety of items that had been stolen from the mail distribution center including: a gun scope, a silver bar, jewelry, coins, gift cards, a gun silencer, a Rolex watch and other items.  Howard is also charged with possessing over 8 kilograms of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

This case is being tried in San Jose by the Eastern District of California. It is the product of an investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

Howard is scheduled for arraignment on August 1, 2014. If convicted, Howard faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.