A former rural mail carrier pleaded guilty in Chattanooga Federal Court on Thursday to stealing medication that was meant for a veteran who lives in Petersburg, Tn.
Michael Murdock appeared before Magistrate Judge Susan Lee.
He faces up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Prosecutors said medication intended for VA patient Liggie Phelps turned up with a number of missing pills on several occasions.
The postmaster said there were numerous complaints about missing VA medication along Murdock's route.
Agents eventually placed green flourescent powder that was not visible to the naked eye on a pill box. They questioned Murdock after he had handled the pill box and found green flourescent powder under his fingernails, hands, chin, mouth, mustache, nose, pocketknife, cell phone and steering wheel of his vehicle.