Former Postal Employee Convicted of Soliciting Bribes During Election

McALLEN, Texas – A former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) carrier has entered a guilty plea to receiving bribe money in exchange for providing addresses of postal ballot recipients, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson

Noe Olvera, a 43-year-old resident of Mission, admitted he accepted $1,000 for providing the addresses in relation to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s race in 2014.

It is a violation of law and official duty for Postal Service employee to provide a list of postal patrons names and/or addresses to another person.

On or about Oct. 15, 2014, Olvera provided a list of names and addresses of postal patrons on his route in Mission who received ballots during the Democratic primary. He accepted the $1,000 payment while on duty in his official vehicle and in his postal carrier uniform.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea today and has set sentencing for May 25, 2017. At that time, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The USPS-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with assistance of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Lindenmuth and Roberto “Bobby” Lopez are prosecuting the case.