Postal worker gets probation for stealing medication for son

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) – A former postal worker has been sentenced to a year of probation in Panama City federal court after he was caught stealing prescription medications bound for military veterans in order to treat his ailing son.

The News Herald of Panama City reports that 59-year-old Michael A. Santiago Jr. was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to theft of mail by a U.S. Post Office employee.

Santiago expressed deep remorse during the sentencing hearing, saying he had panicked because he thought his son had a deficient amount of pain medication to help during his son’s ongoing surgeries.

Santiago faced up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the theft charge. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Santiago’s defense attorney, though, agreed the circumstances were “exceptional” and suggested the court sentence Santiago only to probation.