FORMER POSTAL SERVICE LETTER CARRIER CHARGED WITH DISCARDING MAIL

Thomas O. Beaurem, 25, of McDonough, Ga., a former postal service employee, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of unlawfully delaying and destroying mail.  He was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty before federal Magistrate Judge Justin Anand.

 

“People rely on postal service employees to safely deliver their important letters and packages,” said U. S. Attorney John Horn.  “Beaurem allegedly violated this trust by dumping over four thousand pieces of mail in a wooded area in Decatur.”

 

“The overwhelming majority of Postal Service employees are honest and dedicated public servants who are worthy of our trust,” said U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Paul L. Bowman.  “However, when we receive allegations of mail delay or destruction, our agency will aggressively investigate these matters to protect the overall integrity of the Postal Service,”

 

According to United States Attorney Horn, the indictment, and other public information: On October 18, 2016, the United States Postal Service was informed that there appeared to be a significant quantity of undelivered mail in a wooded area in Decatur.  United States Postal Service investigators located the area and found approximately 4,500 pieces of mail, some with cancellation dates as early as October 5, 2016.  Some of the correspondence was too badly damaged to deliver.  Beaurem was allegedly responsible for the delivery of the recovered items.  The mail that was in deliverable condition has since been delivered to its intended recipients by the Postal Service.

 

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

 

This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.