A former Wheeling postal worker is facing five years in prison after she pleaded guilty Monday to tampering with mail.
Teresa L. Magers initially was charged in a two count indictment. Count one alleged Magers destroyed, delayed and opened letters, postal cards and other mail that came into her possession as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service on March 18-19, 2008, in Ohio County.
The second count alleged Magers also stole mail on those same days.
According to information from U.S. Attorney Sharon L. Potter, Magers on Monday pleaded guilty to the first count before U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr.
She was freed on bond, pending sentencing, which could include a fine of $250,000.
Wheeling Postmaster Randal Link previously said such allegations against U.S. Postal Service employees are rare.
Link, who was not the postmaster in Wheeling when the crimes were committed, said the city's post office also has a solid record of mail service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri and investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General.
Staff Writer Gabe Wells contributed to this report.