Massachusetts postal worker arrested on drug charges after attempting to bribe supervisor

BOSTON – A Massachusetts postal worker has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe and sell cocaine to a postal supervisor.

61-year-old John Noviello was charged with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of distribution of cocaine. Noviello was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on May 12, 2022.

According to the charging documents, Noviello was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Lowell. It is alleged that, on Feb. 15, 2022, Noviello approached a U.S. Postal supervisor seeking their assistance in a scheme to divert postal packages suspected of containing cocaine. Noviello allegedly offered to pay the supervisor $1,750 per kilogram of cocaine successfully obtained from any diverted packages. On Feb. 17, 2022, Noviello allegedly left $850 in cash, concealed in a Dunkin’ bag, inside the supervisor’s vehicle in an attempt to encourage the supervisor to agree to the scheme. It is alleged that Noviello, referring to the $850, later commented to the supervisor, “that was a nice envelope for starters.” After contacting authorities, the supervisor conducted a controlled purchase from Noviello during which the defendant allegedly distributed approximately four grams of cocaine for $200.

The charge of bribery of a public official provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office; and Ketty Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.