Postal worker, 20, admits to stealing more than 6,000 greeting cards filled with cash and checks after she was caught by a transmitter hidden inside an envelope

  • Ebony Smith admitted to stealing $50 to $100 per week from greeting cards  
  • The 20-year-old postal worker said she stole money to take care of her four kids
  • She was caught in the act in January after authorities put a transmitter in a card
  • The test card was sent along Smith's route in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, after several residents complained that they were not receiving greeting cards 
  • Inside card was $20 bill that officials watched Smith remove from an envelope
  • She pleaded guilty to theft or receipt of stolen mail on September 12, police said

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: | Updated:

A Wisconsin postal employee has admitted to stealing more than 6,000 greeting cards that were filled with cash and checks.  

Ebony Lavonne Smith, 20, pleaded guilty to theft or receipt of stolen mail on September 12, according to AZ Central. 

Smith was caught during an investigation in January when authorities prepared a greeting card with a transmitter that also contained a $20 bill.

The test card was sent along Smith's route in the Wauwatosa area after several residents complained last summer that they were not receiving graduation, wedding, birthday and sympathy cards. 

Ebony Lavonne Smith, 20, admitted to stealing more than 6,000 greeting cards (pictured) that were filled with cash and checks

Ebony Lavonne Smith, 20, admitted to stealing more than 6,000 greeting cards (pictured) that were filled with cash and checks

Smith, who worked at the Wauwatosa post office, was caught during an investigation in January when authorities prepared a greeting card with a transmitter that also contained a $20 bill. Several residents had complained about lost mail, prompting the investigation 

Smith, who worked at the Wauwatosa post office, was caught during an investigation in January when authorities prepared a greeting card with a transmitter that also contained a $20 bill. Several residents had complained about lost mail, prompting the investigation 

According to court documents, those missing cards were sent to the zip codes of 53213 and 53226, Smith's postal route. 

In January, officials prepared the test card with the transmitter that signaled when it was opened. 

A USPS supervisor watched Smith rifling through trays assigned to other delivery routes on surveillance video, according to AZ Central. 

She was seen removing greeting cards and putting them in her mail tray. 

Once she began delivering the mail, the transmitter activated, indicating that the envelope had been opened. 

Postal agents immediately approached Smith, who was standing outside of her car.

Smith told authorities that she stole about $50 to $100 per week in order to take care of her four children. Pictured is a file image of a USPS vehicle 

Smith told authorities that she stole about $50 to $100 per week in order to take care of her four children. Pictured is a file image of a USPS vehicle 

An agent took the envelope, which no longer contained the $20 bill. Smith was told to get her purse from her vehicle and gave the agent the money. 

According to the news site, 31 USPS customer greeting cards were found on the floor of Smith's own vehicle.

Agents also found 23 greeting cards and a Starbucks gift card inside Smith's USPS vehicle.

Officials also said that Smith had a roll of tape and letter openers in the driver's side door of her USPS vehicle, which she admitted to using to open the letters and tape them back up. 

Smith told authorities that she stole about $50 to $100 per week in order to take care of her four children. 

She is now awaiting sentencing. 

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