EL CAJON, Calif. -- A veteran U.S. Postal carrier who stole gift cards and other mail from people on his Santee route was sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail and placed on five years probation.

Allen Joseph Pitman, 55, pleaded guilty April 28 to felony charges of burglary and possession of stolen property. He was sentenced by El Cajon Judge Peter Deddeh.

Pitman, a postal carrier for 30 years, was arrested in February, at the conclusion of a joint investigation by sheriff's detectives and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Service.

Postal authorities placed four envelopes with gift cards or cash in the mail that Pitman was to deliver.

A sheriff's detective said that when he stopped Pitman, the defendant had 23 opened envelopes -- including the four that were planted -- in Pitman's truck.

A sock with 39 gift cards was also discovered under the seat of Pitman's vehicle. Authorities said the defendant also had stolen mail that included W-2 wage and tax statements and social security information for several people.