A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) carrier from Middletown is facing charges he stole prescription drugs issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from the mail, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on May 7.
Carpenito said Christopher F. Donohue, 60, of the Leonardo section of Middletown, has been charged by complaint with theft of mail containing prescription drugs.
According to the complaint and statements made in court, Donohue was employed as a mail carrier at the USPS Post Office in the Belford section of Middletown.
On March 2, Donohue allegedly stole an envelope containing prescription medication that was destined for delivery to a military veteran. The theft was consistent with a series of other mail packages containing prescription medication issued by the VA which had gone missing from the Belford Post Office without reaching their intended recipients.
On May 6, Donohue allegedly attempted to steal another package from the Belford Post Office. Law enforcement personnel had outfitted that package with a prescription bottle and inert pills as part of the investigation.
Donohue was arrested and law enforcement personnel recovered the pill bottle and envelope from him incidental to his arrest.
The charge of theft of mail by a postal employee carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney.