Great Falls Woman Sentenced for Possessing Stolen Mail, Wire Fraud

A Great Falls woman who admitted to possessing stolen mail and wire fraud while working as a postal service contract driver was sentenced Thursday, January 25, to three years of probation and ordered to pay $5,641 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a press release. Jacqueline Rose Hydock, 34, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to possession of stolen mail and wire fraud. In court documents, the government alleged that while Hydock was a postal service contract driver responsible for transporting mail between the Black Eagle and Great Falls post offices, she stole checks and gift cards contained in some of the mail items. In May 2022, Jacqueline Hydock opened a new account at Montana Federal Credit Union. She then deposited a series of checks using an ATM and drive-up window. These checks had been issued by various individuals and had their payee's name changed to Jacqueline Hydock's. According to court documents, the largest check she deposited was for $3,000 on June 6, 2022. Jacqueline Hydock also used stolen gift cards at Great Falls businesses. In letters to the court, one of the victims spent more than five hours and 100 miles of driving to rectify the damage caused after Hydock stole a check he had mailed. A victim who appeared in court expressed fear about posting anything valuable after experiencing a theft incident. She recounted how her grandson was disappointed when he received his birthday card without a Walmart gift card that was supposed to be inside. The card had been tampered with and taped back together before it arrived. An investigation revealed that the gift card had been used in Great Falls on May 22, 2022. The evidence included photos of Jacqueline Hydock and another individual at the register during the transaction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.