Postal Worker Charged For Allegedly Dumping Mail In Dumpster

A postal worker was charged with one felony and one misdemeanor for allegedly throwing mail into a Dumpster, 10 Investigates Paul Aker reported on Wednesday.

Jermaine Morgan allegedly threw mail in a Dumpster a few feet from 10TV by the main post office, located on Twin Rivers Drive.

A 10TV photographer saw the letter carrier allegedly throw mail into the trash in November 2010, and he flipped on his camera.

Minutes later, 10 Investigates found piles of mail in the trash, Aker reported.

Just minutes after the Dumpster delivery, 10 Investigates sifted through the garbage and found dozens of pieces of undelivered mail, including what looked like a credit card application, a billing statement, sex offender notifications and what appeared to be a check.

Stephanie Merckling was stunned when 10 Investigates told her that her mail was found in the trash.

"My jaw dropped open," Merckling said.  "I (said), 'Great, what else does he have of mine?'"

After 10 Investigates contacted the United States Postal Service, it immediately sent over undercover special agents, demanded the mail we found and reviewed our video.

The next day, the USPS sent us a statement that said, "Special agents... are investigating the incident you brought to our attention...the public should know of incidents of this nature are rare... (We) aggressively pursue those few employees who violate the public trust."

Morgan said that he felt bad for what happened.

“I lost my job for what I did,” Morgan said. “I mean there's nothing I can do. I mean I made the mistake, so there's nothing I can do.”

Morgan currently is scheduled to go to trial in April.

If he is convicted, Morgan could face up to five years in federal prison, Aker reported.

10 Investigates turned up three other similar cases in Ohio in the past couple years.  In those cases, the letter carriers were prosecuted for federal misdemeanors and were given a fine.

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