Former Southeast Missouri Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Stealing Menards Rebates from Mail

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (MyParkland News) — A former U.S. Postal Service employee who worked at post offices in Poplar Bluff and Williamsville has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting he stole Menards rebate checks and customer receipts from the mail.

Ron Harty, 44, of Butler County, entered his guilty plea Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau.

Harty pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal employee and one count of possession of stolen mail.

Stolen Rebates Used to Purchase Home Improvement Supplies

According to federal prosecutors, Harty used stolen rebate checks to purchase merchandise from Menards on August 15, 2025.

The purchases included a fire pit and 110 patio blocks.

Investigators determined that Harty used $280.95 in rebate checks belonging to four victims to help pay for the merchandise.

He also used a separate $64.05 rebate check issued in his own name. Federal authorities reported that approximately 88% of that rebate originated from receipts submitted by five customers whose mail Harty had intercepted.

Further investigation uncovered six additional victims who had mailed nine receipts to Menards for rebates. Those receipts were also intercepted by Harty.

Worked at Two Southeast Missouri Post Offices

At the time of the thefts, Harty was employed as the lead sales and service associate at the Poplar Bluff Post Office in Butler County.

He also worked at the Williamsville Post Office in neighboring Wayne County.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating crimes involving the U.S. mail.

Sentencing Scheduled for February 2027

Harty is scheduled to return to federal court for sentencing on February 9, 2027.

Each of the two charges carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

The actual sentence will be determined by the federal court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Shelton is prosecuting the case.

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, November 3, 2026.