WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Fayetteville man pleaded guilty to misappropriation of postal funds and to making false entries and reports in U.S. Government records.

According to court documents, Robert Raquan Patterson, 29, served as a sales and services distribution associate for the U.S. Postal Service, Evergreen Post Office. In this capacity, Patterson was responsible for the office’s finances and had access to its financial systems and records.  From November 1, 2022, to July 30, 2024, Patterson fraudulently issued 129 postal money orders for his benefit and falsely reported debit and credit card payments that corresponded to these money orders.  Patterson’s theft and false reporting resulted in at least $74,735 in losses to the U.S. Postal Service. Patterson used the stolen funds for personal expenditures, including hotels, flights, and cash withdrawals.

Patterson pleaded guilty to one count of misappropriation of postal funds and to one count of making false entries and reports and faces a maximum of 240 months in prison when sentenced on August 7, 2025.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan is prosecuting the case.