Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $242K in Checks From Albany Postal Mail

Walter faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2025 in U.S. District Court.

A Texas man has admitted to stealing business checks from the U.S. Mail after repeatedly entering a federal mail sorting facility in Albany without authorization, resulting in losses exceeding $242,000.

Sean A. Walter, 30, of Humble, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully accessing the United States Postal Service (USPS) Albany Processing and Distribution Center (PDC) on multiple occasions in 2023 and 2024 to steal mail. According to prosecutors, Walter targeted mail containing business checks, which he later sold.

Court documents indicate that on January 23, 2024, Walter entered the Albany facility by forcefully opening a retractable overhead door. Once inside, he reportedly stole mail while employees were sorting it, concealing the stolen items in a backpack. He re-entered the facility twice more that night, taking additional mail each time.

Walter was arrested on May 14, 2024, after security guards confronted him inside the Albany PDC. He fled the scene but was later found at a nearby motel, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The stolen checks belonged to a variety of entities in Upstate New York, including a town government, a bank, a volunteer fire department, and several small businesses. Walter admitted that he sold these checks, knowing they would be altered and fraudulently cashed.

In addition to the Albany incidents, Walter acknowledged that he had previously stolen business checks from the USPS North Houston PDC in Texas in 2022.

Walter faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He may also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims. His sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.

The case was investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting the case.