FedEx Driver Accused Of Discarding Packages Has Been Arrested

BLOUNT COUNTY, AL — A FedEx driver who is accused of dumping more than 400 undelivered packages into a ravine in Blount County has been arrested. The driver faces Class D felony charges for cargo theft.

Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said at a news conference Friday morning 22-year-old Deandre Charleston has been named as the suspect in the case. Moon said Charleston worked for a company that is contracted by FedEx, and has been terminated, but is now working for another delivery service. He was arrested after his route Friday and is being held in Blount County Jail on $12,500 bond.

Related: Hundreds Of FedEx Packages Found Discarded In Blount County

Sheriff Moon said the packages were discarded on five separate occasions into a ravine in the 700 block of River Oak Trail near Hayden. The packages were discovered Nov. 24.

Moon said of the more than 400 packages dumped at the site, 153 packages worth more than $15,000 were recovered. The remaining packages, worth more than $24,000, were unrecognizable or unable to be delivered.

Moon also said Charleston expressed remorse for his actions, and said he discarded the packages because he did not want to deliver them.

"Hopefully this will be one of those really hard life lessons he can learn from in his life and then move on," Moon said. "I hope this is a life lesson that can change him and give him a better work ethic and understanding of other people’s needs."

Exactly a week after the discovery in Blount County, another batch of undelivered FedEx packages was found in Chilton County near Jemison.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said that 20 or more packages were tossed on the roadside with shipping addresses on County Roads 166, 48, 51, 164, 42, 29, 43, 936, and North Dakota Road.

The packages found in Chilton County were not discarded by Charleston, FedEx officials said.