WTHR |Police: Drug sting nets Indianapolis postal worker

Police: Drug sting nets Indianapolis postal worker

David MacAnally/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - An Indianapolis postal worker is in trouble with the law after police say he delivered himself to a police undercover drug-selling operation. And police don't think it's the first time the letter carrier tried to buy drugs.

The letter carrier's special delivery was more like a pickup from a special anti-drug unit.

"Detectives received information that he may have been soliciting to buy narcotics," said Metropolitan Police Sgt. Paul Thompson.

James Hunter, 46, a postal worker for over three years was assigned to the Eastgate post office. The Postal Service says Hunter was off duty with his mail delivered and his mail truck put awaym but Hunter was still in uniform when he walked into a southside house and into a police sting.

Inside the house police say Hunter sampled crack cocaine. He allegedly put it in a pipe and smoked it.

Sgt. Thompson said he "stated he wished to purchase it with the intent of redistributing that drug to other people."

Police say Hunter planned to take the crack cocaine, no money down, sell it, then bring the cash back to the dealer. Police say during another drug buy Hunter showed a handgun.

No one answered at Hunter's southside house. A neighbor seemed surprised at the arrest.

"Nice guy, retired Army, no trouble, great neighbor," she said.

Another neighbor said he remembered Hunter offering to help clear a neighbor's downed tree following tornado damage in 2002.

Postal spokesman Kim Yates said Hunter is "placed in an off duty emergency status without pay."

Police say Hunter did not abandon his mail route like the letter carrier two weeks ago who reportedly disappeared from his Greenfield route. But Hunter may have violated USPS policies like wearing his uniform while off duty.

"It's a very serious situation for him," said Yates.

Hunter faces charges including cocaine possession with intent to distribute. He was arrested for possession with intent to deal cocaine and could be fired from his job.