PORTLAND, Ore. — A former employee of the United States Postal Service has pleaded guilty to a federal charge stemming from a scheme to steal money orders while working in rural Oregon.
Jessica Alires, 46, of Nehalem, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to misappropriation of postal funds, according to court records.
Prosecutors say that between September and December 2024, Alires used her position at a post office in Wheeler to carry out the fraud. After selling money orders to customers, she allegedly voided the transactions in the Postal Service’s electronic system, reissued the money orders, and kept them for personal use. Authorities say she also issued money orders to herself and falsified payment records—listing cash, debit, or credit transactions that never occurred—to conceal the theft.
In addition to the money order scheme, investigators found that Alires stole a credit card from the mail and used it to purchase a $500 money order. She also took a separate letter containing $200 in cash.
Alires was formally charged by information on February 19, 2026. Under federal law, she faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
As part of her plea agreement, Alires has agreed to pay full restitution.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cardani is prosecuting the case.
Alires is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
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