By Chelsea Phua
cphua@sacbee.com
A 35-year-old Roseville man pleaded guilty Monday morning in federal court to stealing Christmas gift cards, cash and checks from the mail, authorities said.
Keith Allen Skipper pleaded guilty to theft of U.S. mail and possession of stolen mail before United States District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr.
Prosecutors said on Dec. 9, Nevada County Sheriff's deputies found Skipper with mail addressed to about 51 different addresses. Among the mail he had were items that had been reported stolen from a neighborhood collection box. He was charged in Nevada County Superior Court and released on bail.
While on bail, officials said Skipper continued to steal more mail, this time from El Dorado County residents. Authorities said he committed the thefts between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22 because he wanted to get Christmas gift cards and cash in the mail.
On Dec. 22, El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies stopped Skipper for a broken brake light, found a large amount of the stolen mail in his front seat and arrested him.
Skipper is scheduled to be sentenced May 17. He remains in custody and faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000 and restitution followed by three years of supervised release.
Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua, (916) 321-1132.









About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.