Former Mail Carrier Sentenced for Theft of Postal Customers' Prescription Drugs

BOSTON - A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing packages containing prescription medications from postal customers on his postal route.

Michael Vernon, 53, of Waltham, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to time served (one day) to be followed by one year of supervised release. Vernon was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. In December 2025, Vernon pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal officer or employee. Vernon was arrested and charged in September 2025.

On Jan. 31, 2024, over 1,000 pieces of undelivered mail and 17 bottles of pills prescribed to 10 different postal customers on Vernon's postal route were discovered in his personal vehicle. Most of the customers whose medications Vernon stole were elderly. The medications included Gabapentin, Chlorthalidone, Citalopram, Bupropion, Glipizide, Butalbital, Atomoxetine, Escitalopram and Tamsulosin Hydrochloride. These medications are used to treat nerve pain, seizures, diabetes, high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, depression, anxiety and ADHD. The pill bottles were dated as far back as June 2022.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.