Mailman gets probation for holding junk mail

updated 5:21 p.m. ET Nov. 25, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. - A former North Carolina mailman who admitted keeping people's junk mail in his garage or buried in his backyard has been sentenced to probation.

Steven Padgett pleaded guilty in federal court on Aug. 18 to delaying the mail. He received three years' probation during a hearing Wednesday. He faced up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Eleven family members and friends attended the hearing, and 32 others sent letters of support for Padgett.

The 58-year-old Padgett said he kept thousands of pieces of third-class mail instead of delivering it on his route in Apex. His attorney said Padgett couldn't keep up with the U.S. Postal Service's strict schedule.

No first- or second-class mail was found at his home.

The U.S. Postal Service did not receive a single complaint from Padgett's customers about missing mail during the years he withheld pizza circulars, oil change discounts and Chinese restaurant specials, the Los Angeles Times reported.

More from msnbc.com When's Palin leaving? Take our weekly quiz Adventures in Cancerland: Lust for life Red Tape: Credit card firms' new squeeze World Blog: Anger and hatred on Urumqi streets Elkhart Blog: Making sure health care isn't casualty

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

Tot plays hide-and-seek much too well It's not slang! Nev. court permits ‘HOE’ license Iowans rethink Jackson butter statue Cops: Man went naked to dental appointment Turtles on runway delay flights in New York Drunken man shocks Spain with his generosity Drunken badger disrupts traffic in Germany Half-naked motorist to cops: I lost my pants Teacher sorry for mock wedding to 4th grader Pit-spitting championship is all in the family Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: