A New Orleans man has admitted to the crime of mail destruction, following an investigation by federal agents into complaints of theft at a distribution center. PJ Whitaker, 36, entered a guilty plea last Tuesday, in front of U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry. The conviction relates to a two-count indictment for violations of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1703, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case unfolded when postal workers reported missing and tampered-with mail back in November 2023. Subsequent surveillance operations by agents from the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General pinpointed Whitaker. He was seen handling packages off a conveyor belt in a manner that was, let’s say, less than professional. Opened parcels ended up being discovered near his workstation, implicating him in the acts of mail pilferage he now stands guilty of, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Whitaker’s actions carry severe legal consequences. He is confronted with the possibility of up to five years behind bars, a maximum of three years under supervised release post-incarceration, and a monetary penalty that could climb as high as $250,000.00, not to mention a compulsory special assessment fee of $100, as per the United States Attorney’s Office…