Houston postal worker pleads guilty to stealing $17K

HOUSTON Juan DeDios Vargas, 35, of Houston, admitted to using his company-issued Voyager cards to make unauthorized gasoline purchases for his own personal use and financial gain. Vargas was a letter carrier with the USPS for 13 years.

After an investigation of several fraudulent card transactions, Vargas stated that the unauthorized fuel was either purchased for his own personal use or sold at a discount to other individuals. Vargas would pump gasoline for others at the gas station using a Voyager card and his personal identification number, then take a small fee in cash from his "customers."

Video footage and photos captured Vargas unlawfully using the Voyager cards at gas stations. Vargas profited approximately $8,500 in payments from people for discounted gasoline with a total loss to the USPS of approximately $17,829.

A conviction for theft of public money carries a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Vargas is free on bond.