Thomas O. Beaurem, 25, of McDonough, Ga., is facing federal charges for allegedly dumping more than 4,500 pieces of mail in a wooded area in Decatur, Georgia—mail he was entrusted to deliver as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Beaurem, a former postal employee, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of unlawfully delaying and destroying mail, a felony under U.S. law.
The discovery came on October 18, 2016, when authorities were alerted to a sprawling stash of undelivered mail hidden in the trees near a residential neighborhood. Postal investigators combed the area and recovered a mountain of correspondence—some with cancellation dates as far back as October 5. Hundreds of letters and packages were too waterlogged, torn, or decomposed to be delivered. The rest, deemed salvageable, were rerouted to recipients weeks late.
Beaurem was arraigned in federal court today before Magistrate Judge Justin Anand, where he pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege he was directly responsible for the delivery route containing all recovered items. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, fines, and a permanent criminal record for betraying one of the most basic duties of a public service job.
“People rely on postal service employees to safely deliver their important letters and packages,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “Beaurem allegedly violated this trust by dumping over four thousand pieces of mail in a wooded area in Decatur.” The case has sparked outrage among local residents, many of whom received delayed tax documents, medical correspondence, and personal letters.
“The overwhelming majority of Postal Service employees are honest and dedicated public servants who are worthy of our trust,” said Paul L. Bowman, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “However, when we receive allegations of mail delay or destruction, our agency will aggressively investigate these matters to protect the overall integrity of the Postal Service.”
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas N. Joy is prosecuting. The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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