Mailman steals gift cards, buys dinner at Meijer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Days after being caught stuffing mail into his pants, a letter carrier used a stolen gift card to buy himself a takeout dinner from Meijer, court records show.

The theft of gift cards and cash now has former Battle Creek postal employee Michael Dant on federal probation for two years.

Dant, who left his job after the thefts were discovered, appeared in federal court this week to be sentenced for stealing mail over a three-month span in 2022.

In addition to probation, a federal judge in Grand Rapids ordered Dant to pay $675 in restitution and pay a $1,000 fine.

“While the vast majority of postal employees honestly carry out their duties, the only true check on temptation is the certainly of federal criminal consequences,’’ Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Dant had been facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

He came under scrutiny when discarded, rifled mail was found at various locations in Battle Creek, court records show. The mail was addressed to recipients along his route.

“On Nov. 16, 2022, agents confronted Dant after watching him stuff mail in his pants,’’ Kessler wrote in a sentencing memorandum. “He confessed to stealing cash and gift cards from mail matter and admitted discarding the rifled remains.’’

Two days after the confrontation, he was using a stolen gift card at Meijer, records show.

“Using another undisclosed card to buy dinner shortly after confessing shows at least mild contempt for the law,’’ Kessler wrote.

Defense attorney Samuel Roddy said Dant is remorseful for his actions and “fully cooperated with law enforcement during his investigation.’’

“He is eager to repay his debt to society, repay his wrongdoing in restitution and remain law abiding,’’ Roddy wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

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