Mail Carrier Charged with Taking Bribes to Deliver Packages Containing Marijuana

BIRMINGHAM – Federal Authorities today arrested a mail carrier on charges that he took bribes to deliver packages containing marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Nugent, U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier.

The arrest of EARL JERON WHITE, 33, of Pleasant Grove, follows his indictment by a federal grand jury on May 28. The grand jury returned an indictment charging White with one count of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana in Jefferson County between March 2013 and April 2014. It also charged White with one count of being a public official who demanded or accepted payment for delivery of the U.S. mail within that same time. White appeared before a federal magistrate judge today for a formal reading of the charges against him.

The maximum penalty for the drug distribution charge is five years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum penalty for the bribery count is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“Corruption of postal employees is a significant vulnerability and a serious breach of public trust,” Gonzalez said. "With the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners, postal inspectors will continue their vigilant watch against anyone receiving bribes to transport illegal drugs through the U.S. Mail.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, in conjunction with ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Felton is prosecuting.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.