Former mail-processing clerk gets probation for opening letter

Staff report

AKRON

A 59-year-old Warren man was sentenced to three years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to unauthorized opening of mail by a postal employee.

Raymond Williamson, a former mail-processing clerk in Youngstown, pleaded guilty to opening on Dec. 10 a letter, which was addressed to a Freedom, Pa., resident, and which contained $20 in cash and two $10 Wal-mart gift cards.

The sentence was imposed on Williamson on Monday by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams, who could have sentenced Williamson to up to a year in prison and fined him up to $100,000.

In the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s office dropped a charge that Williamson stole the letter and its contents. Had he been convicted of the theft charge, he would have been facing up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

The case was prosecuted by Gregory C. Sasse, an assistant U.S. attorney, following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Williamson has admitted to marijuana and cocaine abuse, which led to the theft, and has resigned his postal job, Sasse said.

Williamson, who attends alcohol and drug recovery support group meetings, will be subject to drug testing and must comply with any treatment requirements imposed by his probation officer, Sasse said.