Kansas US Postal employee pleads guilty to stealing gift cards from mail

Kendrick Calfee, The Kansas City Star on Sep 24, 2026

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A U.S. Postal Service employee pleaded guilty to stealing mail from a Johnson County post office location, federal court records show.

David Alan Boutte, 60, of Olathe, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of theft or receipt of stolen mail, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

According to court records, Boutte was an employee of the Blue Valley Post Office, 12433 Antioch Rd, in Overland Park during the alleged crime.

In January 2026, a witness told the USPS Office of Inspector General that they saw Boutte dispose of brightly-colored envelopes which appeared to be for greeting cards in the trash bin outside his home.

The witness looked in the trash and found four postmarked letters that were opened and not addressed to Boutte’s home, according to court records.

Police allegedly find cash, gift cards

Officers with the Olathe Police Department and USPS investigators collected trash from the curb of Boutte’s home twice in February. Both times, they allegedly found multiple open, stamped letters not addressed to the residence, according to court records.

After obtaining warrants, investigators searched Boutte’s home and the post office. Among Boutte’s belongings, law enforcement allegedly found $1,624 in cash, 141 gift cards, letters addressed to other people and almost 1,700 stamps on rolls and sheets.

Investigators also allegedly found a USPS facility key and another key that carriers use to open outdoor collection boxes and apartment mailbox panels.

“A neighbor reporting suspicious behavior sparked an investigation which led to an arrest and now a guilty plea by the defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Law enforcement officers appreciate tips from the public. Whether they call a tip line or send an email, we encourage people to come forward with information about possible criminal activity.”

Court records show Boutte is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15, 2027.