Fired Carl Junction postmaster waives indictment, pleads guilty to embezzling nearly $8,000

Former Carl Junction Postmaster Ryan Chandler, 29, waived a federal grand jury indictment today and pleaded guilty to embezzling $7,915.21 from the U. S. Postal Service.

According to the plea agreement, Chandler's thievery was uncovered during an audit by Special Agent Pamela Jackson of the USPS Office of Inspector General.

During the initial phase of the investigation, a Carl Junction Post Office employee asked Chandler on July 2 for the $300 in the cash reserve, so it could be audited.

"The defendant stated to (her) that it was not in the office and that he did not have it."







Even after that money was determined to be missing, Chandler continued to embezzle, according to the plea agreement, which states his crimes started at the beginning of the year and continued through July 8, five days after the encounter over the cash reserve funds.

In addition to the $300, the audit determined that the following money had been stolen:

-Unit Reserve Accountability- $5,035.07

-Floor Stock Accountability- $867.60

-Postmaster's Accountability- $862.54

-Other Shortage in Accountability- $850

The plea agreement says Chandler acknowledged his guilt and has accepted responsibility for his actions.

Judge David P. Rush ordered a pre-sentence investigation and Chandler was released on a personal recognizance bond. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.