New Orleans Man Guilty of Mail Destruction

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that PJ WHITAKER ("WHITAKER"), age 36, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on September 16, 2025, before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry to the two-count indictment charging him with destruction of mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703.

According to court documents, in November 2023, in response to several complaints regarding stolen mail and rifled parcels, United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General agents conducted surveillance in that section of the distribution center. WHITAKER was observed removing several parcels from the conveyor belt, manipulating the parcels, and returning them to the conveyor belt. Several opened parcels were found near WHITAKER'S workstation.

WHITAKER faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.