Federal Way Woman Sentenced for Role in Multi-County Post Office Burglaries

A Federal Way woman, Paula Jean Gamboa, has received an 18-month prison sentence for her involvement in a post office burglary scheme that preyed on postal customers across five Western Washington counties. Gamboa, 38, was sentenced on October 5 at the U.S. District Court in Tacoma. She was the last of three defendants to be sentenced in connection with the widespread operation.

Gamboa will also serve three years of supervised release following her prison term. Her co-conspirators, ringleader Justin Tate, 37, of Tacoma, and Gregory Foster, 60, of Port Orchard, were previously sentenced earlier this year. Tate received 50 months in prison and three years of supervised release in April, while Foster was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release in May. The three were indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2025.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle, who presided over the sentencings, highlighted the severe impact of such offenses, noting that crimes related to identity and mail theft are “tremendously disruptive to people’s lives.” He also acknowledged the significant emotional harm suffered by the victims. Tate was further ordered to pay $10,785 in restitution for the damages caused by the scheme.

According to records from the case, Tate led the burglary crew, which systematically targeted post offices throughout the Puget Sound region. Their operations spanned Kitsap, Thurston, Pierce, King, and Island Counties. The thieves primarily sought cash and other valuables from stolen mail, with Tate also exploiting identity and financial documents obtained from victims to commit bank fraud.

Gamboa's sentencing was delayed as she repeatedly fled pretrial supervision and custody, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Prosecutors had requested a 21-month sentence for Gamboa, writing to the court that "Gamboa’s crimes were carried out with little regard not only for the United States property they destroyed, but for the victims whose privacy was violated through these illegal activities." They emphasized that bank cards, checks, registrations, and social security documents were among the items taken and used by the defendants.

The burglary spree documented in the case records occurred throughout July 2024. On July 4, Tate and Foster broke into the Olalla Post Office, using face masks to conceal their identities. Four days later, on July 8, Tate and Foster attempted to breach the restricted area of the Littlerock Post Office, where they disconnected a security camera but were unable to get past a metal shutter.

Gamboa joined Tate in subsequent burglaries. On July 9, Tate and Gamboa entered the Fox Island Post Office and stole mail from multiple post office boxes. On July 15, Foster independently broke a window to enter the Anderson Island Contract Post Office, stealing $3,000 in stamps, $100 in cash, and approximately 100 postal money orders.

The criminal activities continued as Tate entered the Vashon Island Post Office alone on July 24, stealing mail from numerous post office boxes. Three days later, on July 27, Tate and Foster forced entry through the back door of the Snoqualmie Post Office to steal mail. Tate and Gamboa resumed their collaboration on July 30, stealing mail from boxes inside the Preston Post Office. Their final documented break-in occurred on July 31, when Tate and Gamboa broke into the Clinton Post Office on Whidbey Island, stealing mail from both post boxes and a mail drop box.

Tate pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of bank fraud. He was responsible for opening a bank account in the name of one of the victims, subsequently transferring or attempting to transfer more than $3,500 for his personal use. He also tried to deposit over $13,000 in fraudulent checks and incurred $7,200 in point-of-sale charges using a stolen debit card. Following the burglaries, Tate and Gamboa were observed spending stolen money at area casinos, effectively laundering the illicit funds.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation into the extensive burglary and fraud scheme.