LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Attorney Candace G. Hill of the Western District of Kentucky announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Joseph Bourg, age 44, of Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County, on charges of theft of mail matter.

The Indictment alleges that between 2008 through August of 2009, Bourg rifled through the mail and stole controlled substances, trading cards, DVDs, and other items from mail letters, cards and packages. Complaints were made that several items had not reached their intended recipients. During their investigation, investigators observed Bourg take a package from the post office. A search warrant was executed on his home where investigators discovered additional packages and items which Bourg admitted to taking from the mail.

In the event of a conviction, the maximum potential penalties are 17 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of up to 3 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lettricea Jefferson-Webb, and it was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Veteran’s Administration Office of Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Bourg is scheduled to appear for arraignment before the United States Magistrate Judge on December 22, 2009, at 9:30 a.m., in Louisville, Kentucky.

The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

source: U.S. Department of Justice