Former VW mail carrier changes plea to federal charge

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor 

TOLEDO — A former postal carrier from Van Wert accused of burning undelivered mail last fall has pleaded guilty to a federal charge and now awaits sentencing. 

Kyle Carver entered the plea in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio in Toledo on Tuesday. He was charged with delay or destruction of mail. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charge. He now faces up to a year in prison and/or fines. A pre-sentencing report was ordered and Carver is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22. 

During the early morning hours of October 22, 2025, the Van Wert Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen in reference to a fire that was unattended in the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of George St.

When an officer went to investigate, there was evidence of USPS mail being burned. It was confirmed that Carver lived at the residence and was allegedly burning undelivered mail there. The Van Wert Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire. The investigation was turned over to postmaster Greg McKeddie, who arrived on scene less than 45 minutes after the initial call.

In an interview with WANE 15 TV the day of the incident, Carver said “he’d forgotten to send out the mail to Central Ave, and said he noticed the pile in his truck this and, for fear of getting in trouble, put the 6-inch stack of envelopes in his fire pit and lit it on fire.” He also said he regretted his actions.