A former Westover post office employee has been charged with stealing money orders.

Virginia Alexander, 44, was indicted for taking $2,561.85 from the U.S. Postal Service, between Nov. 2005 and April

2006, the U.S. Attorney General&8217;s Office announced Tuesday. A federal grand jury charged Alexander with theft or embezzlement of postal money orders.

According to the indictment, Alexander, of Sterrett, worked part-time as postmaster relief with the Westover office. &8220;Theft is a crime and theft from the Postal Service is a federal crime,&8221; states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. &8220;Employees who breach their position of trust and steal must face consequences.&8221;

If convicted, Alexander faces a sentence of no more than five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or both.

The United States Postal Service&8217;s Inspector General inspected the theft. Assistant United States Attorney Scarlett Singleton is prosecuting the case for the government.