United States Postal Service

Federal laws prohibit mail theft, obstruction of mail, and mail fraud. Theft of U.S. mail is a federal criminal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under two federal laws: (1) 18 U.S.C. 1708 makes it a crime for anyone to steal U.S. mail or unlawfully possess stolen U.S. mail; and (2) 18 U.S.C. 1709 makes it a crime for Postal Service employees to steal U.S. mail. Obstruction of U.S. mail is also a criminal offense under two federal laws: (1) 18 U.S.C. 1701 makes it a crime for anyone to knowingly and willfully obstruct or retard the passage of U.S. mail; and (2) 18 U.S.C. 1702 specifically prohibits anyone from taking U.S. mail from post offices, mailboxes, and letter carriers before delivery to the addressee with the intent to obstruct the correspondence or pry into the business of another.