United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

DANBURY POSTAL WORKER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAMPERING WITH MAIL

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONNIE R. ROSS, age 50, formerly of Danbury, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to a charge of obstructing the United States Mails.

ROSS, formerly a letter carrier employed by the United States Postal Service in Danbury, admitted that he opened mail addressed to other persons in March 2004. According to statements made in Court, investigators received a complaint that ROSS was tampering with the mails, particularly greeting cards that contained money. On March 4, 2004, investigators monitored ROSS and caught him in the act of opening a letter containing a greeting card and $40 in cash.

ROSS is scheduled to be sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons on October 15, 2004. He faces up to six months in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian E. Spears is prosecuting the case, with assistance from law student intern Kori Termine.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov