HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston mail carrier accused of participating in a mail theft conspiracy pleaded not guilty Monday during her initial appearance in federal court.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Houston postal carriers charged in alleged $23 million check-theft scheme Catherine Kilpatrick appeared before a federal judge in handcuffs and entered a not guilty plea in connection with a federal indictment alleging she was involved in a scheme to steal checks from the mail.

According to prosecutors, Kilpatrick was one of three mail carriers who worked with alleged ringleader Trystone Vaughn.