In a significant development, U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Morse, 52, from Madisonville, Louisiana, faces federal charges, including mail theft, obstruction of justice, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that, despite his role in preventing mail-related crimes, Morse stole a Priority Mail Express package on November 12, 2020, containing cash and a GPS tracking device. He is accused of obstructing justice by misleading fellow law enforcement officers and engaging in money laundering by depositing stolen cash into cryptocurrency and precious metal accounts.
Morse faces one count of mail theft, one count of obstruction of justice, and nine counts of money laundering, with potential penalties of five and 20 years in prison, respectively. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri and Acting Executive Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov made the announcement.
The USPS-OIG is actively investigating, and Trial Attorneys Trevor Wilmot and Jacob Steiner from the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
SOURCE: JUSTICE GOV | DECEMBER 11 2023