Mailman accused of stealing drugs from mailed packages

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service is facing charges that he stole drugs from packages being mailed from a hospital to the homes of patients.

Timmy Lee Crain, 45, of La Grange, KY, was issued a criminal complaint summons on Aug. 8 for theft of mail matter.

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The summons says on Dec. 20, 2012, Crain failed to return an undeliverable package mailed from the VA Medical Center, opened the package and examined its contents.

The USPS Office of the Inspector General had received multiple reports from people saying they had not received packages of medications mailed to them from the VA Medical Center. A test package from VAMC was placed in mail for delivery along Crain's route. Authorities say Crain opened it inside his postal vehicle while parked behind an apartment building. Postal investigators found the open package in the truck next to Crain. He admitted to opening it and the prescription bottle that had been placed inside.

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Crain is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 22.

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