NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MICHAEL O’NELL CARPENTER, age 42, a resident of Harvey, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 15, 2026, to mail theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1708, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. His sentencing is set for October 28, 2026, before U.S.
District Judge Lance M. Africk.According to the Superseding Bill of Information, at the time of the offense, MICHAEL O’NELL CARPENTER was employed as a contract delivery driver transporting U.S. mail from the New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to the Ponchatoula Post Office. On or about July 10, 2024, he stole a package from the container of mail matter he was entrusted to transport from the P&DC and deliver to the Ponchatoula Post Office. MICHAEL O’NELL CARPENTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.U.S.
Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.* * *