Thomas Gerald Hilty, Mail Desertion, Alaska 2019
Alaskan Postal Worker Sentenced for Abandoning 49 Tubs of Mail
In a shocking turn of events, a former U.S. Postal Service employee has been sentenced to federal prison for deserting over 49 plastic tubs of mail in Anchorage, Alaska.
Thomas Gerald Hilty, a 48-year-old resident of Wasilla, was sentenced by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith to three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine. Hilty pleaded guilty to one count of desertion of mail in April 2019.
According to court documents, Hilty abandoned mail along his route, kept some at his home, and even destroyed it by burning it. The deserted mail included a passport, insurance correspondence, PFD letters, college acceptance letters, and child support payments, among other unknown types of mail. The investigation revealed that Hilty simply tired of delivering the mail and did not want to complete his assigned rounds.
This case marks the largest 'mail dumping' case in Alaska history, with 467 identifiable victims. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Smith noted that a higher fine could have been imposed, but federal law required her to consider Hilty's inability to pay.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker prosecuted the case.
Hilty's actions have left many in the community shaken, and the U.S. Postal Service is working to ensure that mail is delivered safely and efficiently. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in public service.
In total, Hilty will serve three years of probation, complete 300 hours of community service, and pay a $1,000 fine. The case is a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning one's duties as a public servant.
Defendant: Thomas Gerald Hilty
Criminal Charges: Desertion of Mail
City and State: Anchorage, Alaska
Exact Date: April 2019
Sentence: Three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: $1,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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