Charlotte mail carrier charged with dumping mail

Authorities on Wednesday arrested a Charlotte mail carrier on charges of dumping mail instead of delivering it.

A federal indictment charges Marlin Haley, 22, with two counts of destroying and delaying U.S. mail.

The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on Thursday, and Haley made his initial appearance Wednesday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer, Acting U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose said.

According to the indictment and court proceedings, Haley dumped mail on March 22 and April 6.

If convicted, Haley faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, Rose said.

Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger called for a federal investigation into reports of missing or mishandled mail in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte, the Observer reported at the time.

Pittenger’s office was told that postal officials identified the substitute mail carrier who neighbors said dumped a week’s worth of mail starting in late March, according to Pittenger spokesman Jamie Bowers.

Pittenger, who neighbors credited with prompting postal service action, asked the U.S. Postal Service inspector general in Washington, D.C., to investigate. He also asked the postal service to alert neighbors who might have missed deliveries that week.

“Neighbors need to know that they might not have received bills or other important documents, so they can take action now and avoid any penalties,” the Republican said in a statement at the time.

Neighbors reported missing mail along Queens Road and sections of the Myers Park and Eastover neighborhoods. Their existing mail carrier had gone on vacation, and the route was supposed to be handled by a substitute carrier, the neighbors said.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Charlotte mail carrier charged with dumping mail."