A former Hawaii island postal carrier pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this afternoon to two counts of stealing mail.

Albert Mamac Jr., 62, of Kailua-Kona, faces a maximum five-year prison term for each count at sentencing in February.

He pleaded guilty to stealing mail while on the job at the Kailua Kona Post Office in June and October 2010.

Mamac retired this past February after more than 28 years as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

Prosecutor Tracy Hino said Mamac stole a letter containing a $250 Foodland Super Market gift card in June 2010. He said someone using Mamac’s wife’s frequent shopper card later redeemed the gift card at a Sack ‘N Save food store.

Hino said Mamac then stole in October 2010 a letter containing a $100 Target Stores gift card. He said Mamac’s daughter later redeemed the gift card in Reno, Nev. A U.S. Postal Inspection Service special agent had placed the letter, which had an address not on Mamac’s route, among mail that Mamac was to deliver, Hino said.

When U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson asked Mamac what he did that makes him guilty, Mamac said, “Stupidity. The envelope was open and the card was sticking out.”