Postal Worker Jailed For Hoarding 45,000 Pieces Of Mail

A Kentucky postal worker was jailed for hoarding nearly 45,000 pieces of mail. Authorities said William Brent Morse, age 34, stashed the undelivered mail inside his deceased mother’s home. When he ran out of room, he rented several storage units throughout the region.

U.S. Postal Inspector Adel Valdes said Morse failed to secure one of the units, as the mail was blocking the door. The facility owner contacted authorities when he realized the unit was stuffed with undelivered correspondence.

Following his arrest, Morse said he was not interested in the content of the mail. CBS News reports that the former postal worker said he hoarded nearly 45,000 pieces of mail because he had to pick his children up from school. When the children were dismissed, Morse simply stopped working and hid the remaining mail.

Morse later admitted that he destroyed approximately 1,000 pieces of mail. Authorities were unable to determine exactly how many pieces of mail were destroyed.

Police Captain Craig Patterson said Morse “wanted to speed up his route.” However, the captain believes the former postal worker was simply lazy.

Although Morse was employed with the United States Postal Service for five years, authorities only recovered two years worth of mail. In the course of investigation, authorities determined the undelivered mail was dated from March 2011 to March 2013. As reported by CNN, the mail was meant to be delivered to approximately 250 homes and businesses throughout Dawson Springs.

The 45,0000 pieces of mail were eventually delivered to the intended recipients. However, the former postal worker was charged with “destroying, hiding and delaying the delivery of at least 44,900 pieces of mail,” which is a federal crime.

Although the charges are serious, authorities did not charge Morse with stealing the content of the undelivered correspondence.

U.S. Chief Judge Joseph H. McKinley eventually ruled that Morse is guilty of “destroying, hiding, and delaying” the mail. He was sentenced to six months in prison. He was additionally sentenced to pay $15,000 restitution to three businesses for loss of advertising. Following his incarceration, the former postal worker will spend six months on house arrest.

Postal workers who hoard mail have been featured in numerous sitcoms and jokes. However, the behavior is no laughing matter. As many residents and business rely on paper correspondence, undelivered mail can be quite serious. Two of the businesses on Morse’s route said their advertising materials never reached their customers.

Although he did not destroy all the correspondence, the former postal worker will spend six months in a federal prison for hoarding 45,000 pieces of mail.

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