Mail handler sentenced in theft of VA meds

A former U. S. Postal Service mail handler was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of stealing thousands of dollars in medication such as hydrocodone and Viagra from veterans' mail, the Justice Department said.

According to federal prosecutors, the former postal employee, Patricia F. Baker, of Memphis, Tenn., made small tears in Department of Veterans Affairs parcels to see if medications inside were marketable. DOJ said Baker's son and husband also conspired to distribute the controlled substances. Baker made about $8,500 in profits, the department said.

Postal Service Office of Inspector General special agents investigated complaints about the missing packages, recorded Baker stealing items from parcels on hidden surveillance cameras, and witnessed her taking cell phones and medications from the mail and hiding them in her apron and workspace, according to DOJ. Baker later admitted to OIG agents that she had stolen pain medication and electronics, and a search of her home turned up those and other items.

A federal grand jury handed down a 21-count indictment in the case in March, and Baker later pleaded guilty in July to one count of destruction of mail, one count of embezzling mail and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

In addition to the prison sentence, Baker was ordered to serve three years of supervised release, forfeit $4,000, and pay $2,720 in restitution to the victims.