NKY man accused of stealing mail containing money, gift cards

KENTON COUNTY, KY (FOX19) - A Northern Kentucky man was arraigned Monday for allegedly stealing people's mail which contained money or gift cards.

Gabriel Rust, 34 of Independence, Ky, faces five counts of theft of mail matter and five counts of possession of stolen mail matter.

Kenton County Prosecutor Rob Sanders said there were "numerous complaints from residents in Southern Kenton County about birthday cards and cards for other special occasions that either never arrived or were delivered without the cash or gift cards originally enclosed."

Sanders said Rust was working for a trucking company that contracts with the US Postal Service that delivers mail between the downtown office in Cincinnati and other branches.

Rust was arrested on Aug. 10 after an investigation done by the US Postal Inspector in Cincinnati.

He's being held at the Kenton County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.

Each charge carries one to five years with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The 34-year-old does not have a criminal record.