Postal Worker in Louisiana Pleads Guilty to Delay or Destruction of Mail, Faces up to 5 Years in Prison

Louisiana – On July 11, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Darius Patin, 34, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on June 7, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

According to court documents, Patin worked as a City Carrier for the United States Postal Service and was assigned to Carrollton Station in New Orleans, LA 70118. Patin secreted, destroyed, detained, and delayed approximately 1,377 pieces of mail recovered from a dumpster in an apartment complex on or about April 28, 2021. Patin also illegally concealed, detained, and delayed in his personal vehicle approximately nine First Class letters, eight standard letters, four standard flats, and two periodicals.

Patin entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with mail delay or destruction. He could face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing is set for September 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the Office of Inspector General of the United States Postal Service for its work in investigating this matter. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne.