A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing prescription drugs from packages he was supposed to deliver.

Michael Vernon, 52, of Somerville pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal officer or employee, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

More than 1,000 pieces of undelivered mail and 17 bottles of pills dated as far back as 2022 were found in his personal vehicle on Jan. 31, 2024, authorities said. The medications were prescribed to 10 different mail customers, mostly elderly people, on Vernon’s mail route.

Vernon delivered mail in Waltham, MassLive previously reported.

The medications included gabapentin, chlorthalidone, citalopram, buproprion, glipizide, butalbital, atomoxetine, escitaloprom and tamsuolosin h

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