Idaho postmaster sentenced for stealing gift card

IDAHO CITY, Idaho (AP) — The former postmaster for Idaho City who stole a gift card from the mail has been sentenced to 180 days in jail, two years of probation and fined $1,000.

The Idaho Statesman reports (http://bit.ly/1vjuH3E) that 55-year-old Teresa Belau received the sentence Monday in 4th District Court.

Judge Roger E. Cockerille suspended 170 of the days in jail and $750 of the fine.

Belau pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in September after admitting she stole a Target gift card from the mail.

Belau was the city's postmaster for 14 years until authorities sent gift cards through the mail in an attempt to find out was happening after area residents reported missing items.

A postal inspector says Belau admitted taking items on two other occasions.