Harris County resident accused of stealing mail and credit card information

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas. On Thursday, a woman accused of stealing mail and credit card information appeared in court.

Sharika Prezhan, 30, has been charged with fraudulent use of an elderly person’s identity and misuse of credit/debit cards, both of which are criminal offences. She is being held on $30,000 bail for each charge. If she makes bail, she will be ordered not to make contact with the victims, wear a GPS monitor and observe a curfew.

She faces 2 to 10 years in prison if found guilty on both counts.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Predzhan worked at the post office and delivered mail when investigators planted a radio transmitter near the mail. They said they caught her opening this letter.

Prejean also worked in the office of the Harris County Clerk and had access to the post office. Prosecutors said they stole credit card information from at least nine people. She is accused of using this information and making personal purchases.

“She’s a civil servant, and part of being a civil servant is that the public gives you some form of trust,” criminal prosecutor Hector Garza said. “She was in such a trusting position and she had access to this information. So any time a public official has this level of trust from the community, the office takes it very seriously.”

Prejean was arrested at the county building on Tuesday afternoon.

It is unclear whether federal charges will be filed.

Authorities said they thought there could have been more victims. Anyone who thinks they may have been affected by Prejean’s having stolen their mail is asked to call the Harris County District 1 Constable’s office.

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