An Oakland man has admitted to destroying a residential mailbox by setting it on fire.
Jonathan Charles Michaud, 43, appeared by video in court Monday and pleaded guilty, according to documents filed at U.S. District Court in Bangor.
Destroying a mailbox is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing in the case has yet to be scheduled while a presentencing report is assembled.
As part of his release, Michaud is under probation and must receive medical or psychiatric treatment, as directed, may not have contact with anyone younger than 18; Michaud is also on the Maine Sex Offender Registry.
Based on a photograph filed with the original complaint in July 2019, Michaud set fire to the mailbox. In the photograph, the blue mailbox is charred near the bottom, and what looks like a match sits near its base.
The incident occurred Oct. 7, 2018, according to the original court affidavit written by Emily Spera, a U.S. Postal Service inspector. An investigator from the Office of State Fire Marshal said the residents of the house reported a liquid with a urine-like smell had been placed inside their mailbox.
The residents began using their newspaper box as a mailbox. Meanwhile, the investigator noticed a fire had been set to the box, but it extinguished itself.
Inside the box, officials found two envelopes that appeared to be from a bill, with handwritten messages on them. The documents referenced a female’s looks and read, “My life sucks.” The bill was not addressed to the residence where the fire was started, according to court documents.
The investigator also reported having found three canisters in the newspaper box, including an air freshener; a canister labeled “TrueFuel,” with “Danger” and “Flammable” warnings; and a foam filter treatment container with another flammable warning. There was also an envelope with a lewd message to a female.
A neighbor of the residence gave the investigator mail that contained a handwritten note that read, “Jonathan Charles Michaud is dead at my home (address), will find me dead in my room, bye bye mom and dad,” according to court documents.
A search warrant was executed and evidence found that led to the complaint, according to the court.
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