Ex-Bergen Mail Handler Stole Marijuana From Packages: US Attorney

A former U.S. Postal Service mail handler admitted stealing $32,000 worth of marijuana from packages at the Postal Service's Teterboro Distribution Center, authorities announced.

Akeem Cauthen, 30, of Newark, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to one count of theft of mail, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Cauthen worked at the Postal Services' processing and distribution center in Teterboro. From May to November 2017, he looked for parcels from Arizona, California, or Colorado, Carpenito said. He would smell, open, or poke holes in them searching for marijuana.

When he did find marijuana, he stole the packages, replacing the original mailing labels with ones with addresses in Paterson where he would pick them up, Carpenito said.

Cauthen was charged and released on $40,000 bond, Carpenito said. He faces a maximum of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: David Allen (Patch Staff)