Harry Hartman, a 54-year-old resident of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to mail theft, as announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His guilty plea was made on June 24, 2025, before United States District Judge Keli M. Neary.
The case stems from a series of complaints received by the mail delivery room at Gettysburg College starting in February 2023. College staff reported that packages marked as “delivered” were frequently not arriving. In response, the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (USPIS OIG) began an investigation after the delivery room alerted them to the continuing issues.
Initially, the problem subsided during the summer but reemerged by mid-October. During the investigation, which took place in early 2024, postal authorities reviewed tracking numbers for packages that indicated delivery but were missing from the college.
In August, surveillance operations at the Gettysburg Post Office led to Hartman being identified as a suspect after he was caught taking packages designated for the college. Following this identification, USPIS agents interviewed Hartman, who confessed to stealing 1-2 mail packages occasionally since March 2024 and reselling the items on eBay. Law enforcement also conducted a search of his car and home, discovering numerous stolen items stored in a large cardboard box.
Hartman faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, which can be imposed alongside a term of supervised release, a fine, and a special assessment.
This case highlights the serious legal implications and consequences associated with mail theft. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding postal regulations and ensuring the integrity of the mail system. The investigation and subsequent plea also demonstrate that authorities are vigilant in addressing such illicit activities.