A New Jersey postal worker was arrested Wednesday for allegedly discarding nearly 2,000 pieces of mail — including voting ballots.
U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of New Jersey said in a statement that Nicholas Beauchene, 26, threw out mail that was to be delivered to West Orange residents. Court documents alleged Beauchene threw 1,875 pieces of mail into dumpsters in North Arlington and West Orange on October 2 and 5.
The mail, which was scheduled to be delivered on September 28, October 1 and 2, reportedly included 627 pieces of first-class mail, 873 pieces of standard-class mail, two pieces of certified mail, 99 general election ballots, and 276 campaign flyers for candidates running in West Orange Town Council and Board of Education elections.
Prosecutors said the delivery dates and addresses on the recovered mail matched up with Beauchene’s mail route and schedule.
NJ.com reported that Beauchene started working for the U.S. Postal Service in July. He allegedly admitted to discarding the mail following his arrest Wednesday, the same day he resigned from his job.
Beauchene was charged with delay, secretion, or detention of mail and obstruction of mail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin said there is no indication Beauchene’s actions were politically motivated.
Authorities said the discarded mail was reintroduced into the “mail stream for delivery to its intended recipients.”
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[Featured image: Nicholas Beauchene/Facebook]
