NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey U.S. Postal Service mail carrier admitted on Thursday that he discarded mail - including 99 general election ballots from his assigned routes in Orange and West Orange, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Nicholas Beauchene, 26, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to one count of desertion of mails, officials said.
According to documents and statements made in court, Beauchene admitted that on Sept. 28, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2, 2020, he discarded 1,875 pieces of mail that he was assigned to deliver to postal customers in West Orange and Orange, New Jersey into dumpsters in North Arlington, New Jersey, and West Orange.
This mail included 627 pieces of first-class mail, 873 pieces of standard class mail, two pieces of certified mail, 99 general election ballots destined for residents in West Orange, and 276 campaign flyers from local candidates.
Law enforcement recovered the mail on Oct. 2, 2020, and Oct. 5, 2020, and placed it back into the mail stream for delivery.
Beauchene faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Sept. 21.