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A former U.S. Postal Service employee has been charged with dozens of counts of mail theft for allegedly stealing letters from the Price Post Office.
Dakota Craig Pierucci, 21, was charged Monday in 7th District Court with 48 class A misdemeanors, each punishable by up to one year in jail.
The alleged thefts were primarily of birthday cards containing cash, authorities have said.
The thefts occurred between Oct. 1 and Jan 11, according to court documents.
Price City Attorney Nick Sampinos said additional charges could be filed by his office or by federal prosecutors, once the postal service completes its own investigation.
No court dates were immediately set.
"Investigators believed from the beginning the thefts were an 'inside' job," Price police Capt. Bill Barnes has said earlier this month, when Pierucci was arrested.
Barnes said his investigators got a tip about the discovery of some stolen birthday cards at the ex-employee's home in Wellington. Working with Wellington police, Price officers went to the residence, where Pierucci allegedly confessed after waiving his Miranda rights.
The former mail sorter turned over more than 20 cards, along with stolen cash, checks and money orders, Barnes said.