Mastic Beach Mail Clerk Busted in Gift Card Grab

A former postal worker allegedly turned the mail stream into her personal shopping spree, ripping open greeting cards and swiping gift cards and lottery tickets before putting the emptied envelopes back in the mail, prosecutors charged.

Jovanni Jamison-Lewis, 36, of Mastic Beach, was indicted Wednesday on a slew of felony grand larceny and stolen property charges stemming from alleged thefts at the Oakdale Post Office.

Prosecutors say seven victims have been identified since her November 2025 arrest.

Jamison-Lewis was working as a postal clerk on Nov. 19 when she allegedly plucked two sealed envelopes from an outgoing mail bin and opened them.

One contained a greeting card and $175 T.J. Maxx gift card. The other held a greeting card and three New York Lottery scratch-off tickets, prosecutors said.

She allegedly pocketed the goodies, stuffed the empty greeting cards back inside the envelopes and returned them to the outgoing mail.

The next day, surveillance video allegedly caught Jamison-Lewis using the stolen gift card at a T.J. Maxx in Port Jefferson Station, where prosecutors say she purchased clothing, jewelry, a handbag and reusable shopping bags.

Investigators arrested her November 24th and allegedly discovered four stolen pieces of mail inside her pocketbook.

Searches of her Mastic Beach home and vehicle allegedly turned up another 20 pieces of stolen mail, including gift cards valued at $800.

Jamison-Lewis resigned from the Postal Service on December 1st.

She was arraigned Wednesday on nine counts each of fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, plus two misdemeanor charges.

Jamison-Lewis was released on her own recognizance because the charges are not bail eligible under New York law. She is due back in court September 16th.

District Attorney Ray Tierney blasted the alleged scheme, saying the mail system depends on the public's "trust and security."