A Toledo mail carrier accused of stealing marijuana from packages and selling the drugs was federally indicted last week.
Ramon Johnson is charged with possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, theft of mail by a postal employee, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Mr. Johnson was a city carrier assigned to the Toledo Main Post Office, 435 S. Saint Clair St.
The Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating Mr. Johnson on suspicions that he was using his position to seek out mail suspected to contain narcotics, rifle through the parcels, and steal the contents.
On Sept. 19, a test parcel containing 10 pounds of marijuana and an electronic monitoring device that tracked the package’s location and if it was opened was placed in Mr. Johnson’s route.
Agents received notification the package was opened when Mr. Johnson opened his postal service vehicle. He was then arrested.
Mr. Johnson told investigators he opened the parcel inside the back of his postal service vehicle because it emanated an odor of marijuana and originated in California. In addition, he admitted to stealing parcels containing marijuana on several other occasions and selling the contents for profit, according to a criminal complaint.
Mr. Johnson said he would sell the marijuana by the pound for $1,800 per pound.
Agents also located a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .40-caliber pistol on the passenger’s seat of Mr. Johnson’s personal vehicle in the employee parking lot.
First Published February 2, 2019, 4:59 a.m.
