Published: October 30, 2008 11:55 am      

Postal carrier pleads guilty to federal charges

Muskogee — A local mail carrier who failed to deliver the mail pleaded guilty in federal court.

Steven B. Riggle, 43, Ada, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of mail, according to United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma Sheldon J. Sperling.

“Charges arose from an investigation by the United States Postal Service and Office of the Inspector General,” Sperling said. “Riggle was indicted in September, 2008.

“The indictment alleged that Riggle, an employee of the USPS at the time, knowingly and willfully obstructed the passage of mail to be delivered from the United States Post Office in Stonewall, Oklahoma.”

Sperling said Magistrate Judge Kimberly West accepted Riggle’s plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. Riggle was released pending sentencing.

“The statutory range of punishment is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or up to $5,000.00 in fines,” Sperling said. “A preliminary calculation of the Sentencing Guidelines projects the defendant will be eligible for probation.”

Deputies from the Pontotoc County sheriff’s office assisted with retrieving the mail from Riggle’s residence.

“It took two trustees, three deputies and two postal inspectors all day just about to move this mail,” Undersheriff Joe Glover said. “It took up, I don’t know how many pickup loads. It filled a whole storage warehouse.”