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Suspect in postal theft released
CUSTODY: Man who allegedly threatened co-workers allowed to stay with elderly parents.
By JULIA O'MALLEY
Anchorage Daily News
Published: December 21, 2005
Last Modified: December 21, 2005 at 02:26 AM
An Anchorage postal worker, charged with theft and once accused of threatening his co-workers, has been released from jail and can spend Christmas with his parents as he awaits trial.
Michael Sargent's attorney successfully argued he was not a danger to the community and should be released to his parents' custody. He is 47. They are both elderly.
According to charging documents from the U.S. attorney's office, the 29-year postal employee didn't charge customers for about $400,000 in bulk mail shipments -- made of items such as business mailings and brochures -- because he said he wanted to bankrupt the United States Postal Service, in part because of a missed promotion.
Assistant U.S. attorney Retta-Rae Randall initially argued Sargent should remain behind bars while awaiting trial. He'd previously been fired and charged with making threats against a co-worker, though the charges were dismissed. He had access to a large number of weapons and had a history of mental illness and alcohol abuse, she said.
"He is a disgruntled public employee," Randall said in the initial court proceeding.
Sargent's lawyer pointed out in court papers that he has no criminal record, and that his failure to charge the postal service for bulk mailings is not a violent crime.
"Mr. Sargent's conduct during arrest, booking and incarceration was cooperative and pleasant and not suggestive of violence, agitation, intoxication or mental illness," defense documents read.
Randall did not return calls for comment on Sargent's release.
Sargent is a gun dealer with a federal license. A search of the Dimond-area house where he lives alone, conducted as part of the postal investigation, turned up a number of weapons, including a machine gun and silencers. Investigators also found several empty bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream liquor, and sleeping pills. The house was uninhabitable, due in part to five improperly cared-for cats, according to the prosecutor.
Under the conditions of his release, Sargent cannot return to his house, and must stay away from his co-workers. All of his firearms were collected by the Anchorage Police Department, and his cats were taken to temporary homes, according to court documents. He also underwent a psychological evaluation, which concluded he was not a risk if he followed the conditions of his release, the documents said. He must also be screened for alcohol and drugs.
Charging documents said Sargent carried empty firearm shell casings to work more than once, showing them to customers and colleagues. Sargent told a co-worker not to come to work if he got fired, Randall said.
Sargent's lawyer, federal defender Mary Geddes, argued in court documents that Sargent's statements had been misinterpreted by the prosecution.
"Sargent was liked by his co-workers and statements and conduct now characterized as potentially threatening to co-workers ... were considered jokes at the time and were never reported as inappropriate, harassing, threatening to any supervisor or law enforcement," a defense document said.
After his arrest, Sargent's parents received calls from 30 individuals offering assistance and identifying themselves as friends, the document said.
Sargent faces a penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Daily News reporter Julia O'Malley can be reached at jomalley@adn.com or 257-4325.
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i'm surprised they didnt say that Sargent eats babies as well.
Suspect in postal theft released
CUSTODY: Man who allegedly threatened co-workers allowed to stay with elderly parents.
By JULIA O'MALLEY
Anchorage Daily News
Published: December 21, 2005
Last Modified: December 21, 2005 at 02:26 AM
An Anchorage postal worker, charged with theft and once accused of threatening his co-workers, has been released from jail and can spend Christmas with his parents as he awaits trial.
Michael Sargent's attorney successfully argued he was not a danger to the community and should be released to his parents' custody. He is 47. They are both elderly.
According to charging documents from the U.S. attorney's office, the 29-year postal employee didn't charge customers for about $400,000 in bulk mail shipments -- made of items such as business mailings and brochures -- because he said he wanted to bankrupt the United States Postal Service, in part because of a missed promotion.
Assistant U.S. attorney Retta-Rae Randall initially argued Sargent should remain behind bars while awaiting trial. He'd previously been fired and charged with making threats against a co-worker, though the charges were dismissed. He had access to a large number of weapons and had a history of mental illness and alcohol abuse, she said.
"He is a disgruntled public employee," Randall said in the initial court proceeding.
Sargent's lawyer pointed out in court papers that he has no criminal record, and that his failure to charge the postal service for bulk mailings is not a violent crime.
"Mr. Sargent's conduct during arrest, booking and incarceration was cooperative and pleasant and not suggestive of violence, agitation, intoxication or mental illness," defense documents read.
Randall did not return calls for comment on Sargent's release.
Sargent is a gun dealer with a federal license. A search of the Dimond-area house where he lives alone, conducted as part of the postal investigation, turned up a number of weapons, including a machine gun and silencers. Investigators also found several empty bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream liquor, and sleeping pills. The house was uninhabitable, due in part to five improperly cared-for cats, according to the prosecutor.
Under the conditions of his release, Sargent cannot return to his house, and must stay away from his co-workers. All of his firearms were collected by the Anchorage Police Department, and his cats were taken to temporary homes, according to court documents. He also underwent a psychological evaluation, which concluded he was not a risk if he followed the conditions of his release, the documents said. He must also be screened for alcohol and drugs.
Charging documents said Sargent carried empty firearm shell casings to work more than once, showing them to customers and colleagues. Sargent told a co-worker not to come to work if he got fired, Randall said.
Sargent's lawyer, federal defender Mary Geddes, argued in court documents that Sargent's statements had been misinterpreted by the prosecution.
"Sargent was liked by his co-workers and statements and conduct now characterized as potentially threatening to co-workers ... were considered jokes at the time and were never reported as inappropriate, harassing, threatening to any supervisor or law enforcement," a defense document said.
After his arrest, Sargent's parents received calls from 30 individuals offering assistance and identifying themselves as friends, the document said.
Sargent faces a penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Daily News reporter Julia O'Malley can be reached at jomalley@adn.com or 257-4325.
==============================================
i'm surprised they didnt say that Sargent eats babies as well.
