CLAYTON, NC – A U.S. Postal Service employee and former police officer has been arrested in connection with an ongoing mail theft and fraud investigation, according to the Clayton Police Department.
James Cartwright, 51, of Clayton, was taken into custody on Monday, September 8 and is facing several charges, including:
Felony obtaining property by false pretenses
Felony larceny by an employee
Misdemeanor larceny
The investigation began on August 11, after authorities received a report of a stolen gift card and suspected mail tampering. According to Clayton Police Chief Greg Tart, Cartwright allegedly used the stolen gift card to buy gas at a Speedway gas station on Clayton Boulevard.
Cartwright is currently employed with the U.S. Postal Service in Clayton and was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center on a $20,000 secured bond.
Clayton Police confirmed that they are now working closely with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate whether Cartwright is connected to other cases involving stolen mail or gift cards.
The investigation remains ongoing.
