No prison time for embezzling Carl Junction postmaster- probation stipulates he cannot work for the U. S. Postal Service

The U. S. Attorney's office, taking into consideration a number of factors recommended a sentence of no more than six months for former Carl Junction Postmaster Ryan Chandler, who pleaded guilty to embezzling from the U. S. Postal Service.

The government noted "his cooperation with the investigation and prosecution of his crime, his prompt repayment of the funds he stole, and his lack of repetitive criminal conduct and violent
criminal history."

U. D. District Court Judge Douglas Harpool went beyond that recommendation, however, and Chandler will serve no time in a federal prison despite the government's assertion that Chandler "grossly abused the trust the USPS placed in him to lead and manage its facility in Carl Junction."







During a sentencing hearing Tuesday, Harpool placed Chandler on probation for three years.

Chandler will have to abide by the normal restrictions placed on those on probation including complete cooperation with the probation officer, no gambling, no alcohol, no drugs, etc., but he will also have to follow two other requirements.

Harpool's probation order includes stipulations that Chandler not take any job that involves him with the financial affairs of a company and just in case there is any chance of it happening, he is not to take a job with the U. S. Postal Service.

That recommendation is only required for the length of his probationary period.

Chandler's crime was detailed in the plea agreement:

Through his duties as the postmaster, the defendant was responsible for selling postage-related products and money orders to the public and performing financial accounting functions to report the sale of postage and other postal products, such as money orders.

Additionally, the defendant was assigned specific money order stock and stamp stock as his individual responsibility. The defendant was also responsible for collecting money from sales and remitting the money to a designated bank.







Through a review of the Carl Junction Post Office, Special Agent Pamela Jackson of the USPS Office of Inspector General found that the defendant embezzled currency and property from the post office and used it for his personal benefit.

Specifically, SA Jackson found that the defendant held the following deficiencies in the currency and property he was accountable for through his duties as Postmaster of the Carl Junction Post Office:

Cash Reserve Accountability $300
Unit Reserve Accountability $5,035.07
Floor Stock Accountability $867.60
Postmaster's Accountability $862.54
Other Shortage in Accountability $850
Total $7,915.21

During the initial stages of the investigation and review of the instant matter, USPS employee Suzanne Jones contacted the defendant and the Carl Junction Post Office on July 2, 2019. Jones asked the defendant to obtain the cash reserve of $300 so she could audit it. The defendant stated to Jones that it was not in the office and that he did not have it.

Through the above facts and as a part of the defendant's plea to the sole count of the information, the defendant further admits that on or about January 1, 2019, and continuing through July 8, 2019, the defendant, at that time an officer and employee of the United States Postal Service, did knowingly, willfully and intentionally embezzle and convert to his own use, without authorization under law, money and property, specifically United States currency, valued at approximately $7,915.21 that came under his control in the execution and under color of his office, employment and service with the United States Postal Service.