A former mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of stealing prescription medications from packages meant for customers along his delivery route.
Michael Vernon, 52, of Somerville, Massachusetts, faces one count of theft of mail by an officer or employee. He was arrested and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at 2:45 PM.
According to the indictment, Vernon worked as a USPS mail carrier in Waltham from June 2022 through January 2024. During this period, he allegedly used his position to open and search through mail entrusted to him, including packages containing prescription drugs intended for postal customers.
If convicted, Vernon could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Area Field Office, announced the indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch from the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is handling the prosecution.
“The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
