Published: March 21, 2008 12:33 pm         

Sheriff reports about 50 mailboxes damaged

MOSS LAKE — Someone has been playing mailbox baseball in the Moss Lake area, Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton said Thursday.

“We have recently had in excess of 50 mailboxes vandalized near Moss Lake,” he said.

Destroying mailboxes isn’t uncommon, especially in rural areas.

But the penalty for such criminal behavior may be stiffer than many realize.

According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service mailboxes are considered federal property.

Under federal law (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705), it is a crime to vandalize mailboxes or to injure, deface or destroy any mail deposited in them. Violators can be fined up to $250,000, or imprisoned for up to three years for each act of vandalism.

Compton said the sheriff’s department takes the crimes seriously.

“The Cooke County Sheriff’s Office will double efforts to apprehend these vandals and intends to turn all subjects identified in vandalizing mailboxes over to federal authorities,” he said.

Compton also said rural residents should try to note the license plate numbers of anyone who may be involved in the vandalism incidents. However, he also offered a warning for residents who decide to take matters into their own hands.

“Do not try to apprehend them yourselves,” he said.

The sheriff’s office is expecting some help with the cases.

“We will be assisted by undercover federal agents in our attempt to stop this vandalism,” he said.

Incidents have occurred at several locations around Moss Lake including FM 1201 and Spur 1201 near the old marina and beach, he said.