Two mail carriers charged with stealing packages

Two mail carriers were indicted for stealing packages from the mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service.

Brandon L. Mitchell, 32, of North Olmsted, is accused of stealing a parcel on Aug. 4 that was addressed to a location on Melgove Avenue in Garfield Heights, according to the indictment.

Thomas N. Schaefer, 43, of Broadview Heights, is accused of stealing a parcel on Aug. 3 that was addressed to a location on McBride Avenue in Cleveland, according to the indictment.

Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.