ST. LOUIS—A U.S. Postal Service worker is accused of stealing checks with a face value of more than $1.5 million from the mail, according to a federal indictment. He is also facing charges for pandemic fraud.

Anthony Virdue, II, 29, was indicted on three counts of mail theft and one count of wire fraud. 

The indictment alleges that while Virdue worked at the Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center on Market Street, he had access to first-class mail routed through the center. His fingerprints were recovered from numerous checks.

Virdue is also accused of fraudulently applying for and receiving a nearly $21,000 Pandemic Protection Program loan in 2021. The indictment states the loan application for a tobacco store called Virdue Dynamics had false information about the business’ income, a false IRS document and listed his grandmother’s address as the store’s location.

The wire fraud charge for the loan carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The mail theft charges carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and the same fine.