United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARTFORD, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging SHAWN R. FULLER, 36, of Hamden, with cocaine distribution and mail theft offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, Fuller, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in Meriden, was under investigation for stealing mail packages.  On April 17, 2023, an investigator observed Fuller at the Meriden post office opening two mail packages, removing two items from the packages, and placing the items in the trunk of his car.  He then notified his supervisors that he had to leave work for the day.  Hamden Police subsequently stopped Fuller’s car for a motor vehicle violation.  After a police K9 alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, a search of the trunk of the car revealed approximately four kilograms of a substance containing cocaine.  Fuller was arrested at that time.

The indictment charges Fuller with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and three counts of theft of mail by a postal employee, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each count.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Fuller is released on a $100,000 bond.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Hamden and West Haven Police Departments.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Brendan J. Keefe.