A high-ranking official in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has resigned after being arrested in connection with a United States Postal Inspection Service investigation into a misdelivered package containing high-value jewelry.

Vanessa Hickman, who served as the State Government Division Chief under Kris Mayes, was taken into custody after investigators linked her to the disappearance and online sale of a diamond bracelet valued at approximately $2,400.

On May 31, a package containing about $40,000 in jewelry was misdelivered to Hickman’s North Phoenix condominium. The intended recipient, a nearby resident, contacted postal investigators after discovering the package had been delivered to the wrong unit and the diamond bracelet was missing. Investigators later tracked the missing bracelet to a Poshmark account linked to Hickman. They also noted the package had been returned with “excessive tape.”

Postal inspectors made multiple attempts to contact Hickman before notifying the Attorney General’s Office on Nov. 13. She was subsequently placed on administrative leave and later resigned.

Hickman faces two felony charges: trafficking in stolen property and theft involving misdelivered mail. The case has been referred to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.

Hickman was one of the highest-ranking non-political officials in the Attorney General’s Office, overseeing legal work and supervising attorneys across state government matters. Her resignation marks one of the most significant internal agency incidents during Mayes’ tenure.

The case will proceed through the Maricopa County Superior Court following the Attorney General’s Office referral.

A spokesperson for Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the office’s only public comment to another news outlet, stating: “Attorney General Mayes believes that every individual is entitled to due process, but also that justice must be served. The allegations against Ms. Hickman are serious for any state employee, particularly someone in a leadership position.”