Postal worker in Calif. sentenced to 5 months in prison for stealing from kids’ birthday cards

Postal worker gets 5 months for taking kids’ cash

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Northern California postal worker has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for stealing money from children’s birthday cards.

Twenty-nine-year-old Dean Hudson, of East Linda, was ordered to serve five months of home detention after his release from prison. He also must pay nearly $3,000 in restitution.

Hudson pleaded guilty in May to opening mail at the U.S. Postal Service facility in Olivehurst and taking money that was included in children’s birthday cards.

Postal Service inspectors began an investigation after residents in Chico reported receiving mail that had been opened.

U.S. District Judge Edward Garcia sentenced Hudson on Friday.

Information from: Appeal-Democrat, www.appeal-democrat.com