Former Postal Worker Admits Guilt in Hidden Camera Case

In a deeply disturbing turn of events, a former postal worker from Massachusetts, John V. Kelly, has officially pleaded guilty to a pair of very serious federal charges. The 62-year-old, hailing from Westfield, admitted his wrongdoing in U.S. District Court in Springfield, facing accusations that included attempting to capture sexually explicit images of a minor and, quite brazenly, witness tampering. It’s a case that certainly sends shivers down one's spine, especially considering the nature of his former public service role.

Specifically, Kelly confessed to one count of attempted visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, alongside another charge for witness tampering. These incidents, as investigators laid out, weren't isolated; they unfolded between April 2022 and January 2023 at post offices in both East Longmeadow and Westfield. Imagine, places where people simply go about their daily lives, trusting their privacy, suddenly becoming compromised in such a chilling manner.

The method he employed was particularly insidious: planting hidden cameras, often disguised as innocuous USB charging devices, within employee restrooms. The intent, according to the plea agreement, was to capture unsuspecting individuals, both adults and, most disturbingly, minors, in a state of undress. It truly beggars belief that someone would go to such lengths to invade personal privacy, turning a seemingly safe space into a surveillance trap.

And then there's the witness tampering aspect, which paints an even clearer picture of a man attempting to evade justice. Court documents indicate that after his actions began to unravel, Kelly actually went as far as to delete digital evidence from his computer and even tried to influence a witness involved in the investigation. This wasn't just a mistake; it appears to be a calculated effort to cover his tracks and manipulate the legal process.

Now, Kelly is looking at some very significant time behind bars. For the attempted visual depiction of a minor charge, he could face up to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years to a lifetime of supervised release, not to mention a hefty fine of up to $250,000. The witness tampering charge carries its own severe penalties: up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and another potential fine of up to $250,000. When Judge Mark G. Mastroianni delivers his sentence on June 18, 2026, Kelly will undoubtedly face a substantial reckoning for his actions.

As part of his plea, Kelly has also agreed to a criminal forfeiture, meaning his computer and other electronic devices, which were clearly instrumental in his disturbing activities, will be seized. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, along with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, and the East Longmeadow Police Department, have been diligent in their investigation, bringing this unsettling case to light and ensuring a plea was entered.