South Hero Man Sentenced to 8 Months for Mail Theft

RUTLAND – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on August 18, 2026, Kevin Manning, 43, of South Hero, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 8 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, with the first four months of supervised release to be served on home detention. Manning previously pleaded guilty to three counts of theft or attempted theft of mail, and one count of possession of stolen mail. According to court records, beginning in early December 2025, the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department began receiving reports from residents of Grand Isle, Vermont that packages which had been shipped to them were missing from their porches and mailboxes. Law enforcement investigated and identified Manning as the likely suspect. On December 24, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Manning’s residence, recovering approximately 120 items during the search. Manning admitted these were items he had stolen. Following the December 24, 2025 search warrant, Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department received additional reports of missing packages. Law enforcement executed a second search warrant at Manning’s residence on February 13, 2026, and recovered additional items. Manning again admitted to stealing packages. Between the two search warrants, law enforcement recovered stolen goods worth more than $13,000. These goods included winter coats, home safety equipment, medical equipment, prescription medication, and checks. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department, Vermont State Police, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Essex Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn. Manning was represented by Federal Public Defender Alejandro Fernandez.