Former U.S. Postal Contractor And Wife Charged By Federal Grand Jury With Stealing Meds From Veterans

Memphis, TN – A former U.S. Postal Service contractor and his wife have been charged in a federal indictment that accuses them of conspiring to steal packages of prescription pharmaceuticals intended for military veterans.

Kevin Cochrane, 34, of Verbena, Alabama, and Carmen Cochrane, 36, also of Verbena, Alabama, were named in a four-count indictment charging the couple with conspiracy to possess stolen U.S. Mail; two counts of theft of Veteran’s Administration U.S. Mail packages; and one count of conspiracy to possess hydrocodone with the intent to distribute it. Carmen Cochrane was arrested last Thursday and Kevin Cochrane was taken into custody this morning by U.S. Postal Inspectors.

The thefts occurred at a U.S. Postal Service loading facility in Memphis in November 2013. The packages contained prescription medications intended for veterans. The Cochranes are also charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone stolen from the packages.

“The defendants’ alleged scheme of stealing medicine intended for veterans from a U.S. Postal facility is a shameful betrayal of our dedicated service members,” stated U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton III. “This husband and wife will now be held accountable in a court of law for their alleged criminal actions.”

“The U.S. Postal Service has hardworking, honest employees. The arrest of these individuals is a priority to the Postal Inspection Service to ensure the nation’s mail system is protected and those who violate the public trust will be aggressively prosecuted,” said Tom Noyes, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division – Memphis Field Office.

If they are convicted, the couple would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.