File photo - Not officially associated with the case

US Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of indictments charging Austin Engler (26, St. Augustine) and Teron Haywood, Sr. (46, Jacksonville) with destruction or delay of mail by a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, each suspect faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. 

Engler and Haywood were employed by USPS as Rural Carrier Assistants assigned to routes in the St. Augustine and Jacksonville areas, respectively. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, In June 2023, Engler and Haywood knowingly and unlawfully destroyed or delayed mail which had been provided to them for delivery in their capacity as mail carriers.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

These cases were investigated by the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.

Matt McCarthy