Bassett Man Sentenced For Post Office Vandalism

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – An 18-year-old Bassett man, who previously pled guilty to breaking into a Henry County Post Office and causing almost $20,000 worth of damage, was sentenced last week in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Danville.

Matthew Fitzgerald, 18, of Bassett, Va., previously pled guilty to one-count of willfully committing a depredation against property of the United States, Specifically the Fieldale, Va., Post Office. Last Friday in District Court, the defendant was sentenced to six months in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $19,309 in restitution.

According to evidence presented at previous hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day, Fitzgerald admitted that on April 18, 2013 he broke into the Fieldale Post Office located in Henry County and damaged property inside.

Fitzgerald admitted to breaking windows, glass, damaging computers, discharging a fire extinguisher, throwing more than 1,000 keys on the floor and breaking florescent light tubes. In all, Fitzgerald caused $19,309 in damages.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene Day is prosecuting the case for the United States.