Mail Carrier Accused Of Discarding More Than 1,200 Letters In Romulus Hotel Dumpsters

ROMULUS (WWJ) - A mailman who said he wasn't trained properly and overwhelmed is facing a federal charge of stealing more than 1,200 pieces of mail.

A four-page complaint filed Wednesday in federal court accuses Antwawn Roberts of dumping mail intended for Ann Arbor residents in hotel dumpsters in Romulus between September and November of this year.

The investigation unfolded after the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General was informed that the mail was found in at dumpster at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites on Flynn Road in Romulus.

Federal agents responded to the hotel and recovered 1,271 pieces of mail, about 10 of which were opened and had contents missing, according to the complaint. Further investigation revealed the mail was addressed to residents on Roberts' route.

Roberts didn't have a specific route in Ann Arbor, but was a substitute.

Agents interviewed Roberts after the discovery and, according to the complaint, he readily admitted to discarding the mail. He then allegedly went on to explain that he felt overwhelmed and not properly trained. He had just started working with the USPS in September.

According to the complaint, Roberts told the agents he had thrown mail away on "multiple occasions" after transferring the parcels from his assigned postal vehicle into his personal vehicle.

The complaint accuses Roberts of discarding mail at the LaQuinta dumpster on at least two or three occasions, at the Comfort Inn on Wick Road in Romulus on at least two occasions, and at an apartment complex on Merriman Road in Romulus at least once.

The mail that was recovered will go back to the Post Office and will be delivered as soon as possible.

Ann Arbor resident who believe they have missing mail are encouraged to call 1-888-USPS-OIG  or visit the Inspector General's website to file a complaint.