COLUMBIA — A 46-year-old former postal worker has pleaded guilty to taking counterfeit bills from the Secret Service and spending it on drugs, among other things.

Richard P. Houghtalen of Columbia entered a plea in federal court to passing or possessing counterfeit obligations of the United States, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles. He will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr.

According to a press release from Nettles’ office, Houghtalen’s route as postal worker included the U.S. Secret Service. Houghtalen stole the agency’s mail, opened it and took out counterfeit money. He then either sold it or used it to buy things, including drugs.

In all, he took counterfeit bills worth more than $10,000
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/04/09/3377410/former-columbia-postal-worker.html#storylink=cpy

Here is the press release from the US Attorney’s office:

Columbia, South Carolina —– United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Richard  P. Houghtalen, age 46, of Columbia, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Passing or Possessing Counterfeit Obligations of the United States, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472.  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Houghtalen after the U.S. Probation Office prepares the presentence report.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Richard P. Houghtalen was a postal worker in Columbia.  His route included the United States Secret Service.  As part of the Secret Service’s mission, it receives counterfeit money from banks and merchants for identification and investigation.  Houghtalen stole the Secret Service’s mail, opened it, and took the counterfeit money out.  He then either sold it for a discount off the face value or used it to buy things for himself, sometimes drugs.  In all, he obtained counterfeit bills worth just over $10,000.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for this violation is imprisonment for 20 years and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office.

Four Individuals Indicted for Conspiring to Steal Mail

Dean B. Dalenko, age 43, Jennifer M. McCullough, age 39, Salathiel D. Harrison, age 38, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, and Julie A. Nelson, age 38, of Anderson, South Carolina, were charged in a 1-count superseding indictment with conspiracy to steal mail and possess stolen mail; to make and possess counterfeit securities; and to use one or more unauthorized access devices; in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.