Ex-Springfield postal worker accused of delay or destruction of mail

A former Springfield postal carrier is accused of delay or destruction of mail, the latest in a string of federal charges against area U.S. Post Office workers.

Nicole Yochem, 27, faces one count in Dayton’s U.S. District Court, according to court documents.

RELATED: Feds: Postal worker on disability got $94,000, was in 35 motorcycle races

The charge states that between July 15, 2016, and July 28, 2016, Yochem “unlawfully secreted, destroyed, detained, delayed, and opened mail, letters, packages entrusted to her and which came into her possession.”

Assistant U.S. attorney Laura Clemmens said prosecutors are limited in what can be released, but that Yochem worked at the Springfield Post Office during the time of the alleged offense.

RELATED: 7 other times regional postal workers have been in trouble with the law

Public defender Art Mullins didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment. No court dates have been scheduled, according to the case docket.

Yochem is at least the ninth area postal worker to face federal charges in the past few years.

WATCH: Video shows postal worker stuffing mail down sweatpants

Earlier this year, former Dayton postal worker Jerry French was accused of participating in 35 motorcycle races during an 18-month period in which he was disabled or on light duty, according to federal court documents. French allegedly collected $94,000 in worker’s compensation.

In February 2017, former Springfield postal worker Leanna Heskett was sentenced to five months after surveillance video showed her repeatedly stuffing packages down her sweatpants.

RELATED: Postal worker pleads guilty to delaying, destroying mail

RELATED: Local postal worker pleads guilty to embezzling nearly $15,000

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