Deseree Ann Martinez, a 32-year-old UPS worker from Rawlins, Wyoming, was arrested on November 12, 2024, after being accused of stealing drugs and other items from police shipments during her time on the job. The arrest followed a six-month investigation by the Laramie Police Department, which uncovered Martinez’s involvement in tampering with several law enforcement packages.
The investigation began on May 7, 2024, when Laramie Police Officer Craig Lenhardt was assigned to investigate missing evidence from the Rawlins Police Department. On April 9, a shipment containing marijuana was sent to the Wyoming State Crime Lab in Cheyenne, but it arrived empty. A similar incident occurred when a shipment containing a DUI blood kit and a small amount of cocaine was also missing items when it reached the crime lab.
Additional shipments, including methamphetamine and fentanyl pills, were found tampered with, with the drugs missing. The investigation revealed that the evidence boxes were often sent to RP Lumber, a nearby UPS drop-off site, before being shipped. Although the contents of the packages were never disclosed, Rawlins PD employees noted that marijuana often had a distinct odor coming from the boxes.
In an attempt to catch the thief, Officer Lenhardt set up a sting operation by placing a hidden camera inside a fake evidence box. While the footage from the first two attempts showed no tampering, a third box submitted to the state crime lab was found to have its tape cut, with Martinez’s fingerprints found on the tape.
Further investigation revealed that Martinez had been involved in previous incidents of theft, including stolen items from the Rawlins Police Department. When officers searched Martinez’s home on November 12, they discovered a variety of stolen items, including a VR headset, cocaine, marijuana, electronics, and 73 packages that were tracked back to owners who had never received their shipments.
Martinez has been charged with theft over $1,000, two counts of interference with a peace officer, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. She posted a $12,000 bond and is awaiting a preliminary hearing on December 3, 2024, in Carbon County Circuit Court.