A FedEx contract worker was arrested on suspicion of dumping dozens of packages in the woods to avoid being late.
LaTavion Lewis was arrested after the Bonifay, Florida, post office received multiple reports of FedEx packages strewn along roadsides and wooded areas during the busiest delivery period of the year.
A contract worker from Alabama agreed to meet with lawmakers and confessed that he had thrown away the package instead of returning it to a FedEx warehouse “because he was late at work.” the sheriff's office said.
Authorities have so far been able to recover 44 packages and “deliver them to their rightful owners.”
Lewis was charged with grand theft, illegal dumping and organized fraud scheme. He remained in custody at the Holmes County Jail as of Monday. Al.com reported..
fedex Recognized by People Magazine Lewis is no longer affiliated with the company.
A FedEx spokesperson said in a statement: “This incident is completely unacceptable, as transporting our customers' packages safely and securely is our top priority. We are fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation.” said.
“In addition to being charged with a criminal offense, the individuals involved are no longer providing services to us,” the company said in a statement.
FedEx said it is “working to ensure these packages reach their intended recipients.”
Last month, FedEx said Ahead of the holiday season, it was ready to process as many as 16 million packages per day.
