SPOTSWOOD -- A Spotswood postal carrier is under investigation after allegedly being found with mail two years old, according to the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG).

The inspector general's office said the old mail was allegedly found in the worker's vehicle, but would not release any further information on how it was discovered or about the postal carrier, including the worker's name or gender.

But Matthew Modafferi, deputy special agent at the USPS inspector general's office, said the mail had been discovered "within the month."

The mail carrier "is still currently on the rolls but not at work," said George Flood, spokesman for the Northeast Area U. S. Postal Service.

Flood added, "Underscore not at work pending the outcome of the investigation. I will just leave it at that."

The USPS inspector general's office said this type of situation was no small matter.

"We take these (situations) very seriously," Modafferi said. "And we try to uncover any other incidences ... that are occurring."

The investigation falls under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, which says a postal worker found to have destroyed, delayed or detained mail or package could face a fine or prison term of up to five years or both, according to the U.S. Code.

Flood said employees are trained and take an oath to "protect the sanctity of the mail."

"And when (employees) come on board ... they are messaged internally by guys like me to take delivering America's mail very seriously," Flood said.

Modafferi emphasized for people who suspect their mail may have been compromised to reach out to the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General at 1-888-USPS-OIG or by email at hotline@uspsoig.gov.

For more information on how to file a complaint, visit www.uspsoig.gov.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.