MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael P. Sloviak, 43, Bloomer, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to four years of federal probation for mail theft. Sloviak pleaded guilty to this charge on March 26, 2024.
Between December 2022 and April 2023, Sloviak, a contract mail carrier, stole cash, checks, gift cards, and store rebates from the mail. Sloviak admitted to resealing mail he opened, altering checks to be payable to him, and altering store rebate applications so he would receive other customers’ rebates. Agents identified 85 known victims and a total financial loss of $8,652.77. Judge Peterson ordered Sloviak pay restitution to the known victims.
Judge Peterson said the primary impact of mail theft is its insult to the integrity of the mail system that people count on to communicate with the outside world. This is an intimate violation of a sacred space that causes victims to lose their sense of safety and security. Mail theft is a very serious insult to a very important government institution.
The charge against Sloviak was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven C. Ayala prosecuted this case.
