Mailman hides 18,000 pieces of mail

UNIONTOWN, Pa., March 25 (UPI) -- A former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to hiding more than 18,000 pieces of mail instead of delivering them over a two-year period, officials said.

Jeffrey Booker, 28, of New Salem, Pa., pleaded guilty Monday to one count of delaying mail by a postal employee, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Dillon said most of the undelivered mail was found hidden at a Uniontown, Pa., apartment complex. He reportedly hid the mail from August 2005 through August 2007.

Investigators recovered 18,396 pieces of standard mail, 17 pieces of first-class mail, 20 pieces of certified first-class mail and five parcels, the newspaper reported.

Booker did not appear to have stolen mail from any of the 646 residents and businesses along the route, officials said.

Booker is free on bond until he is sentenced June 11. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine