UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	TUESDAY JULY 28, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

VINA POSTAL EMPLOYEE INDICTED FOR MISAPPROPRIATION OF POSTAL FUNDS

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama and Frank Dyar, Postal Inspector/Domicile Coordinator, U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today that JOAN PEARSON has been indicted by a federal grand jury for misappropriation of postal funds.

            Pearson, 52, of Vina, Alabama was charged in a One Count indictment filed today in the U.S. District Court in Birmingham.

            The maximum sentence for misappropriation of postal funds is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

            This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Angela R. Debro is prosecuting the case.

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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