Is mail tampering a federal crime

Yes, mail tampering is a federal crime in the United States. The United States Code (18 U.S.C. § 1702) makes it illegal to "knowingly and willfully obstruct, delay, or affect commerce or the mail by means of bribery, or by destroying, defacing, mutilating, or concealing any letter, postal card, or package, or by removing from any letter, postal card, or package any stamp or postage affixed thereto, or by embezzling, stealing, or destroying any letter, postal card, or package in the mail."

This statute makes it a federal crime to intentionally tamper with or destroy mail, including letters, packages, and other items sent through the postal service. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine.

The statute also makes it a crime to "knowingly and willfully" obstruct or delay the delivery of mail, which can include actions such as:

• Destroying or damaging mail
• Concealing or hiding mail
• Removing or altering postage or stamps
• Stealing or embezzling mail
• Intentionally delaying or obstructing the delivery of mail

The statute applies to both physical mail and electronic mail, such as email.

Mail tampering can be investigated and prosecuted by the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).