A postal worker was charged Tuesday in Boston federal court for allegedly stealing mail he believed contained narcotics, according to a press release from the Massachusetts U.S. attorney’s office.

The worker — Shawn Herron, 44, of Whitman — has been employed by the U.S. Postal Service since September 2005 and is currently a manager of customer services at the Fall River Post Office, authorities said. Previously, he was the supervisor of customer service at the Canton Post Office.

According to court documents, Herron allegedly used Postal Service databases to track packages he thought contained controlled substances. He then allegedly took them upon their arrival in Fall River, brought them to his office, and stole their contents for personal use and possible distribution.


The U.S. attorney’s office said customers often reported these packages as undelivered.

Herron was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of theft of mail. He was released on conditions after his Tuesday court appearance.