by MARK ST.J. COUHIG
Sequim Gazette

Kevin M. Brown, a former Sales, Service/Distribution Associate at the Sequim Post Office, is the subject of an “Information” filed Sept. 14 in the Western District of Washington. Brown was charged with one count of Theft of Mail by a Postal Employee.

 

An “information” is a legal method by which a person is charged with criminal activity. It is an alternative to the better-known method in which a grand jury issues an indictment.

 

John D. Masters, an Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, said the USPS OIG began its investigation after receiving a complaint from a Post Office customer concerning missing mail. The complaint was made through the USPS OIG Hotline.

 

After concluding its investigation, the USPS OIG sent a Report of Investigation to the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, “for their review and action deemed appropriate.”

Masters said through the investigation, “Anyone who may have been a known victim was contacted by a representative from the USPS OIG.”

 

If Brown is convicted, he can be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.

 

Brown is represented by Corey Endo, a public defender based in Seattle.

 

Brown began working at the Sequim Post Office in January 2005. Sequim Postmaster Steve Allen declined to discuss the case, including the date Brown’s employment ended.

 

Masters said his office cannot provide additional comments related to this investigation due to Privacy Act considerations and the fact that the case is ongoing.

 

“It’s the policy of the U.S. Postal Service not to publicly discuss internal administrative actions taken against employees, the exception being when criminal charges are filed and the information becomes a matter of public record,” Masters said.

 

Masters also noted that the issuance of an information “raises no inference of guilt.”

 

“An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

 

The OIG is seeking additional information related to the case. Call 888-877-7644.